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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: "Gen. Joseph Leonard Votel" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <genjohnlvotel6@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2019 21:28:16 -0700
Subject: Special Greetings to you

Hello Dear,
 
Special Greetings to you.
 
I am Gen. Joseph Leonard Votel of the great U.S Army force and Commander of the U.S Central Command here in Syria.
 
Dear please I urgently need you to help me safeguard the amount of money I have here in my posession which is worth the sum of ($16.865,000 USD) Sixteen Million Eight Hundred And Sixty-Five Thousand US Dollars only.
 
I came across this mega cash while on operation, as we were on massive attack against the ISIS terorrists and has made a private investigations and found out the money was left by the run away terorrists so I decided to keep the money in my posession, but minding how horrible and risky it is here in this military camp, I deemed it necessary to look out for a trusted fellow whom would assist me in safeguarding the cash until I get out of this horrible zone.
 
It was on this effect that I conducted a random mail search here online for an honest person whom I can trust to help me safeguard the cash and I came across your email.
 
(N:B) 35% of the total cash will be all yours if you do help me safeguard this money.
 
Please get back to me ASAP
 
Thanks,
Gen. John L. Votel


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