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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: Mavis Wanczyk <minister@minlaw.gov.bd>
Reply-To: Mavis Wanczyk <maviswanzyck61@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2024 05:17:45 +0600 (BDT)
Subject: DONATION.





<div><div>Dear friend, I am Mrs. Mavis Wanczyk, the winner of the $758 million Powerball jackpot. I'm giving away to 5 random people which include you. If you receive this email, your email was selected after the ball was spun. I have given away most of my wealth to a number of charities and organisations here in the United States. I have volunteered to give you $2,800,000'00 Dollars as one of the 5 winners chosen to verify my winnings via the YouTube page below. SEE ME HERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0Bpez2Z7c0</div><div>THIS IS YOUR DONATION CODE:(REPB/AVL2023/28392/USA).</div><div>Reply to this email with the donation code: (maviswanzyck61@gmail.com).</div><div>I hope to bring joy to you and your family.<br />Regards,<br />Mrs. Mavis Wanczyk.</div></div>

Anti-fraud resources: