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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: "Agent Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <agentsmithrichard@naij.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2017 16:22:29 -0700
Subject: ------Dear Scam Victim-------

Dear Scam Victim
 
My Name is Agent Smith Richard an Intelligent Officer working with the
EFCC under the Internet Fraud Watch, i have just 4 Question to ask and
i want your honesty responds on this matter, so be honest and Answer:
 
1: Have You Been Scammed?
2: How Much did they scam you?
3: How Long?
4: And What are their Names and Offices
 
 
With this we will help you get your Fund
 
Thanks
 
Agent Smith

Anti-fraud resources: