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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: Greg Hook <mariasmith19413@gmail.com>
Reply-To: greghook484@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 24 Dec 2021 13:42:40 -0800
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS

*CONGRATULATIONS *

*We are pleased to inform you of your prize*
*released on November 30th, 2021 from the Power Ball Lottery programme.*

*This fully based on an electronic selection of*
*winners using address E-mail, your name was*
*attached to ticket number 5784974749273*
*serial number :5627886744 and batch number*
*DGS6727599.*

*Group drew the lucky numbers as follows*
*6-13-45-77- 42bonusNumber 24 which went on to*
*win the lottery in the forth category.You hereby*
*approved a lump sum of USD $ 2,200,000.00 in Cash*
*credit file ref ILP / HW 47509/02.*

*You are to get back to us so you will be told on how to claim your winning
fund .*

*Congratulations*

*Greg Hook*

Anti-fraud resources: