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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.Jonathan Hugo" <dgonatel@onatel.bi>
Reply-To: jonathanhugo001@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2020 19:28:51 -0700
Subject: Mr. Jonathan Hugo


- This mail is in HTML. Some elements may be ommited in plain text. -

I am Mr. Jonathan Hugo. I have emailed you earlier on without any response from you.
I am The Attorney to my late client and I have decided to contact you to stand as the next of kin to my Late client\\\ 's deposited funds since you have the same last name with him as

to enable us receive his deposit as inheritance for investment amounted to US$ 14.5 M only.
In my first email I mentioned about my late client whose relatives I cannot get in touch with. But both of you have the same last name so it will be very easy to front you as his official next of kin. I am compelled to do this because I would not want the finance house to push my client\\\'s funds into their treasury as unclaimed inheritance.
If you are interested you do let me know so that I can give you Comprehensive details on what we are to do.
Waiting for your response.
Many Thanks,
Mr. Jonathan Hugo

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