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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: "Mrs Linda Cothran" (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2017 17:35:33 +0100
Subject: Please Read My Email

My Name is Mrs. Linda Cothran, 71years old widow from Australia, am affected with cancer of the breast. My condition is really deteriorating and is quite obvious that I may not live more than 2 months,because the cancer stage has gotten to its 4th stage. I have decided to give out my fortune, by contributing to Charities, less privileged people, orphans, motherless babies, sick people with diseases and many more in different part of the world.

I am willing to donate the sums of money running into millions of United State Dollar to people through you. Can you help me? Can i trust you? Please Reply to my email with a message from your heart, in truth and in fear of the Lord, we can work together make this dream a reality before my death.I shall send you pictures and more info but keep me in prayers.

May the Peace of Lord Be With You.

Mrs. Mrs. Linda Cothran

Anti-fraud resources: