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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: "U.S Army Jeffrey Whitten" <us.army.col.jeffrey.hall@gmail.com>
Reply-To: u.s.army.capt.jeffwhitten212@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2021 08:40:03 +0100
Subject: PLEASE TREAT AS CONFIDENTIAL.

Good day to you!

I am sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner. I only pray
that at this time your address will still be valid. I want to solicit
your attention to receive money on my behalf. I found it pleasurable
to offer you my partnership in business.

My name is Capt. Jeffrey Whitten, I am an officer in the US army. I
served with the 82nd airborne division peacekeeping force in Baghdad
Iraq. I really need your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of
two military trunk boxes.

I hope you can be trusted? You will be rewarded handsomely if you
could help me secure the funds until I conclude my service here. If
you can be trusted, I will explain further when I get a response from
you. Please ensure to reply via my private-mail address.[
u.s.army.capt.jeffwhitten212@gmail.com ]

Best regards
Capt. Jeff Whitten
US Army

Anti-fraud resources: