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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: =?utf-8?q?Mr=2EJone_William?= <jone_william@zoho.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2017 12:45:17 +0200
Subject: =?utf-8?q?URGENT_REPLY=2C?=

Attention,

It is my pleasure to write today, I am Mr. Jone William working in the bank. I get your Internet search contact I hope you will not expose or betray this trust and confidence that I am about to reposition you for the benefit of our two families I am in need of your help as a foreigner to transfer Six million Five hundred thousand Dollars USD $ 6.5. Million Dollars) into your account, the risk is totally free.

Please, I would like you to keep this proposal as a secret secret or delete it from your mailbox if you are not interested. Also keep in mind that you will have 40% of the sum mentioned above, if you agree to do this business with me, while 60% will be for me. I will give you the full details of this transaction immediately you notify me of your interest by sending your data. Waiting for your early reply and you can only respond to me at my private email address ( jone_william@zoho.com )

Your full name.
Your country.
Your age.
Your occupation.
Phone number
Address of the office.
Copy of your passport or ID card.

regards
Mr. Jone William

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