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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: Peter Martin <petermartins212@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2017 21:33:32 -0800
Subject: GREETINGS, YOUR RESPOND IS NEEDED

Good day to you my friend,

My name is Peter Martins from Canada based in Ghana I'm hospitalized with
cancer, I'm married man but we just separated waiting to divorce as my wife
lawyer has served me divorcing letter. I have shared my wealth with her,
but i have a contract funds coming to our joint account that worth $5
million United States dollars, which i asked the bank to hold on with the
funds.
If i transfer the funds into the account, her lawyer will inform the court,
then they will divide the funds into two which i don't want it to happen.
I have giving her enough money, i bought a house for her and cars, left her
a huge amount of money but she did not have a kid for me, i have no
children to live the money for.

So i want you to assist me and receive the funds for safekeeping for me, i
will give you 20% of the total money, 20% for charity and motherless babies
home, 60% for me.
The more reason i want this funds to transfer to you is because, i have a
joint account with my ex wife, and we have separated, right now i'm sick in
the hospital.
Get back to me for my accountant to prepare the documents, so that bank can
transfer the funds to you for safekeeping.

Regards,
Peter Martins
Address. 473 Building, Kingsway
Area, Cape Coast, Ghana.

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