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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: Semahat Arsel <spam@metatech.com.hk>
Reply-To: <semahatarsel45@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2017 04:55:29 +0700
Subject: Hello

May all good things come to you as we become acquainted. I am Semahat Arsel, Turkish, widowed, 88yrs, but without child. What is not known about my daily struggle is that my relatives are taking advantage of me, greedily possessing my wealth. After causing chaos about the family wealth as soon as my nephew, the former chairman of Koc holdings passed in January, they now seek my personal wealth but I would rather give to someone of choice, even though I never met them before.


I have asked my Attorneys about the legal exigencies of giving out financial gifts to foreigners and they have given clear confirmation that all that is required is a 'change of ownership right' and this is what I have done. I am giving sums worth €80 Million Euros and this would be distributed among 20 individuals/company/churches/mosque/NGOs.


It is my intention that you be included. You will receive the exact amount of €3,820,000.00 Euros. You do not need to do anything other than confirm acceptance, sign the 'change of ownership right'. It would be transferred to you thereafter.


Please address your message only to me on same email (semahatarsel45@gmail.com) Confirming your full name and address. This would be used to append the 'change of ownership right' in your favour.


Waiting to hear from you.
Semahat Arsel
Istanbul, Turkey

Anti-fraud resources: