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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: "allenstewart" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2017 06:12:04 -0800
Subject: HELLO MY BELOVED

I am Miss. Donna Brown, I got your contact on my personal search of
the person.... I willed the only funds left in my account to you.

In addition to this, If you want to know why I have willed the only
funds left in my account to you please contact the bank manager and my
Lawyer whose name and address I will give to you as soon as you reply
to this mail. Right now I am in the hospital.

My beloved one, I want you to understand that this is genuine and not
a scam as you might think, bear this in your mind that if I should
SCAM you or any one, it will definitely turn against me, if not now
definitely in the future, it is said that what goes around comes
around. I am a dedicated Christian and I do know the implication of
such acts.

Anti-fraud resources: