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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: "Steve A C" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsteve9898@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2019 07:53:23 -0800
Subject: Welcome to 2019.

Death without a WILL is a damning circumstance that causes lot
of problems to so many families.
With confidentiality I am reaching out to you regarding a
circumstance within my jurisdiction. One of our client passed on without a WILL over 5 years now.
Efforts to trace any relation proved void hence I have to hire a
private researcher who furnished me with your contact details.
Can I propose to nominate you as the next of kin?
You will appreciate your entitlement being the next of kin, Let
me know your interest on this.
 
Steve A

Anti-fraud resources: