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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: "Michael Reed" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.alexjamess@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2020 16:36:59 +0100
Subject: You were recommended

Good day,
You were recommended by a mutual associate. I write you regarding an investment of bearer bonds I made on behalf of a client. The investment was made in 2009 and has been under my management.
 
The said investor is deceased. The window is now available to assign these bonds to any name or company of my choice. I have all the necessary information to achieve this within 10 banking days.
 
The total value of the bond is 50 million pounds sterling, in a million pound denominations.
If you can handle this, do contact me at your earliest convenience via my Email: mred6980@gmail.com
So we can discuss the finer details
 
Thanks
 
Mr. Michael Reed
Email  mred6980@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: