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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: Mariam Germain <thuy.dt@tpa.com.vn>
Reply-To: <e19600@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:44:00 +0100
Subject: Re: Please Read

Compliments of the day to you! I'm Mariam Germain, the mother to Gerard St. Germain and Yvette St. Germain who both died untimely in an Egypt Air crash of 1999. You can view this web site for your perusal and find the names of my Children who also perished in that ill fated air disaster.
 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/egyptair/article/0,,196602,00.htm
 
I'm from the country of Malaysia, I lost my husband for almost 3 years now and I have been living with this pain till date. We are hospitable people and decided to serve mankind to the best of our ability. Since the death of my children (Gerard St. Germain and Yvette St. Germain), I have lived with the memories, fighting effortlessly to lead a normal life but all to no avail. I suffered psychologically and shortly was diagnosed of Cancer. I write to you, having sourced your address from a database in my late children's internet dozier after fervent prayers. Before their death, my family had a joint account and deposited sum of $13.6 Million I need an individual that will utilize this fund inherently for these purposes: to assist the poor and helpless, motherless home These are the wishes of a dying woman. hence my decision as I do not have a child to take over my inheritance. All I need from you is Truthfulness, Honesty and Sincerity assuring me that you can in all honesty and obedience utilize the funds for
 
I await your immediate response. email: e19600@yahoo.com
 
Kinds Regards
Mariam Germain

Anti-fraud resources: