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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Angela Gude" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <angellagude@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2015 01:56:30 -0400
Subject: From Mrs. Angela Gude.

Subject: Fund for Investment.
Greetings..
I have picked up the trust and courage to write you this letter with divine confidence that you are a reliable and honest person who will be capable for this important and confidential transaction which I have for you, believing also that you will never let me down either now or in the future
My name is Mrs. Angela Gude. I am a widow, who had three children, but my husband and two other children died, during the political crisis in my country, the rebels attacked our house in Touba, north-west of the country, near the border between Guinea and Ivory Coast, and killed them and burnet everything.
My late husband deposited some funds (in foreign currency) $12.6 million (Twelve million, six hundred thousand dollars,) at a security unit in London, for safe keeping, this money was concealed in a safe box and was taken to London, with the help of some security officials.
My husband was a Gold and diamond dealer, till he died three years ago.
I am writing you now from hospital, I am very sick and suffering from stomach cancer.
Because of the current political situation here, I am asking for your support in investing this fund in your country, and that was my late husband desire before he died.
I and my only son left, have agreed to offer you 30% of the total sum, and you will also assist us in investing the rest fund, when we come over to you.
I will direct you, on how to contact the security unit in London, for the release of the box that contains the fund.
Thanks and sincerely yours.
Mrs. Angela Gude.

Anti-fraud resources: