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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: "MERCEDES BENZ" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <eddie.martinez01@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2018 08:31:00 -0600
Subject: CONGRATULATION! CONGRATULATION!! CONGRATULATION!!!

CONGRATULATION!   CONGRATULATION!!    CONGRATULATION!!!
We happily announced that your E-mail Address has been selected among the winners of the Mercedes Benz International Online Lottery Draw 2017 promo.  You are now a winner of a brand new "Mercedes Benz c300 4matic 2017" and the grand prize of $4,500,000.00 USD.
For easy claim of your winnings, you are simply advice to contact our Claim Agent in Eddie Martinez (eddie.martinez01@yahoo.com) via email.
NAME:
CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS:
OFFICE ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATIONS:
All necessary information on what to do in receiving your winnings will be treated by our claim agent once contacted by you.
NB: Delivery cost is mandatory in claiming your winning.
Your Mercedes Benz Online Lottery Draw Reference Claim Code: (974310).

Anti-fraud resources: