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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: "Christian Garcia" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <awhats614@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2021 10:42:11 -0000
Subject: Re: Christian Garcia From Bank Of America (Priority)

Hi,
 
Being a Branch Manager in Bank Of America. I have an Important & very private matter to Discuss with you concerning my late customer Dennis R. Kozacek who Died in a plane crash on 29th April 2019 with none of his family and associates linked to his $362Million in his company account with us. I know that recently what comes to mind when someone makes such a claim is "this may be lies or unrealistic" but Get back to me so that we can discuss and chat a way forward but you must be extremely secretive before replying to this email.
 
It's not a crime if you don't believe me and as such refuse to reply. I will prefer that you don't reply than reply but doubtful and unwilling which will eventually get us stock at the cross road and diminish our chances of success.
 
Please dont reply if you don't believe.
 
Christian Garcia
Branch Manager
NB: Here's the link to the story if you wish to confirm my info:
https://www.kptv.com/news/police-id-two-people-found-dead-in-plane-crash-near-la-center/article_ad80ce36-6c6b-11e9-a396-5f69062ee973.amp.html

Anti-fraud resources: