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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: "Mr. John Martins" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <serv.mail2015@yandex.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2018 10:12:56 -0700
Subject: YOUR CHECK IS READY

My Dear,
 
I kept the cheque with Mr. George Moore. Please mail him immediately to send the cheque to you. I am in Columbia now. I kept $2.5 Million USD cashier cheque and will send you the rest of money after my business trip here. I send you so many mails but all bounced back.
 
So mail (Mr. George Moore) with below email for him to send the cheque to you: here is his email:(serv.mail2015@yandex.com) or call him at: +229-604-56-447)
 
Kindly re-confirm to him your personal information per as follow:
 
Your full name..............
Your house address ...............
Your direct phone number ...................
Your occupation ....................
Your country's name ................
Your age ...................
 
Thanks and do let me know when you receive it.. Please, the only Money they might demand from you is the cost of mailing the cheque or wire charges in case you want Bank wire transfer.
 
Best regards.
Mr. John Martins

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