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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: "Barrister Matthew Layton" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barristermattewlayton@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2017 19:13:17 -0400
Subject: CAN WE TRUST YOU?

Sir/Madam,
 
In my search for a business partner I got your contact from Linkedin.My name is Barrister Matthew Layton .
 
My client Mr. Alexander Putilov is willing to invest $500 million to $800 million but my client need a trusted partner who he can have a meeting at the point of releasing his funds.
 
 
I told my client that you have a good profile with your company which details about you in the Linkedin lookup.
Can we trust you? Can we make a plan for a long term business relationship.
 
 
Thanks and best regards,
 
Barrister Matthew Layton
 
Clifford Chance LLP
 
10 Upper Bank Street,
London, E14
United Kingdom

Anti-fraud resources: