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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: "STAFF SERGEANT WILLIAMS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sgtmasterwilliame@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2019 16:26:35 -0700
Subject: GOD BLESS YOU AND AMERICA

GOOD DAY,
 
I AM SORRY TO ENCROACH INTO YOUR PRIVACY IN THIS MANNER; I FOUND YOUR E-MAIL  ADDRESS LISTED IN THE TRADE CENTER CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE DIRECTORY, I ONLY PRAY AT THIS TIME THAT YOUR ADDRESS IS STILL VALID. I WANT TO SOLICIT YOUR ATTENTION TO RECEIVE THE TWO BOXES ON MY BEHALF. I AM STAFF SERGEANT WILLIAMS HENRY AARON. US ARMY, SERVING IN THE MILITARY KEEPING FORCE IN BAGHDAD, IRAQ AND TRANSFERRED TO AFGHANISTAN.
 
KINDLY ASSIST ME RECEIVE TWO BOXES CONTAINED FUND FOR SAFE KEEPING TILL MY RETURN TO MEET WITH YOU, I BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED AND HANDLE IT. THEREFORE SEND ME YOUR BELLOW DETAILS INFORMATIONS TO ENABLE ME REGISTER WITH DELIVERY COMPANY, WITH TRUST THAT I CONTACTED YOU VIEW THE NEWS BLOG BELOW FOR SOME INFO.
 
(A) YOUR FULL NAMES:
(B) YOUR PHYSICAL MAILING ADDRESS:
(C) YOUR DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
(D) YOUR OCCUPATION.
 
HTTP://WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM/WORLD/2007/FEB/08/USA.IRAQ1
HTTP://NEWS.BBC.CO.UK/2/HI/7444083.STM
HTTP://NEWS.BBC.CO.UK/2/HI/MIDDLE_EAST/2988455.STM
 
I WILL EXPLAIN FURTHER WHEN RECEIVE YOUR RESPONSE
 
GOD BLESS YOU AND AMERICA THANKS FOR COOPERATION IN ADVANCE.
 
BEST REGARDS,
STAFF SERGEANT WILLIAMS HENRY AARON.
US ARMY

Anti-fraud resources: