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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: "Dr. Wendy Barnett" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hsbchgm@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2018 14:17:00 -0700
Subject: Funds !! (03-12-2018)

Hello, did you receive my message?
 
I would like to donate to support your work and to finance the maintenance of the Less-Privileged under your supervision;
 
It will interest you to know that I have named you as the recipient (beneficiary) to receive my ($2.5 Million USD) Charity Fund for disbursement to (Local Orphanages, Charity and Religious Organizations, Less-Privileged Students, Orphans, Women and Elderly People's homes) Worldwide.
 
My desire and purpose is to have the HSBC Bank (#452 5th Ave, New York) to deliver the funds to you (or) to any co-operate organization that will use the fund for humanitarian purposes.
 
You will be compensated with 30% of the total money for your services (personal use), while 70% of the money will go to “Charity". I grow up as an Orphan hence my decisions to be a blessing to the Less-Privileged!
 
I do like to chat with you one on one if you're on Facebook!
 
God bless you! and I wait for your reply.
 
Respectfully,
    Dr. Wendy Barnett (Retired)
New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Anti-fraud resources: