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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: "Steven Walker" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <spwalker721721@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2021 10:40:51 -0800
Subject: Estate Beneficiary As Next of Kin (Please Act Fast)

Greetings to you ,

I do foresee the surprise this letter will bring to you as it comes from a stranger, but be assured that it comes with the best of intentions. This is an urgent proposal regards a Fixed Deposit of 55,800,000.00 (Fifty Five Million Eight Hundred Thousand British Pounds) deposited in a Bank by My late client who shares the same surname with you. With the Bank where the fund was deposited by my deceased client giving me a deadline to the end of their organization's financial year ending before they claim the deposit, I seek your consent to present you as the sole beneficiary of the deceased for future claim of the said fund. Email me with your Full names, Age, country and Direct telephone number only to enable me furnish you with adequate information in regards this claim.

Very Truly,Yours

Steven Walker

Anti-fraud resources: