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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: "James Wells" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2017 02:52:17 -0800
Subject: Re: PAYMENT OF OVERDUE INVOICE

Hello,

In regards to our outstanding payment, we would like to speak to your accountant manager of our overdue December invoice as we are clearing all payments and your company happens to be on the shortlist.

Please provide me with the email address of your accountant so I can mail and ask for our debit note.

Thank You,
James Wells, Accountant
Bacon & Thomas, PLLC
625 Slaters Lane, 4th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314-1176
Phone: (703) 683-0220, Fax: (703) 683-1920
Email: onizuka.sinka-j@yandex.com

Anti-fraud resources: