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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: "Mrs.Rosemary Walters" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lottowinner0444@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2024 07:27:22 -0700
Subject: YOUR ARE SELECTED AS A USA MEGA LOTTO LUCKY WINNER

Sir/ma,
Your email address has been selected as a winner in the Life Changing USA Mega million Lotto  lucky numbers .
We are delighted to inform you of the result of the E-mail address ballot lottery draw of the United State of America cash-out Life Changing Mega million Lotto international programme,which took place on the 27th of March, 2024.This is a computer generated lottery of Internet users using email addresses for draws. You have won $1,710,000.00  in the second Division draw category.”
Your swift response is needed for us to  advise on how your $1,710,000.00 will be release to you swiftly
Signed
Mrs.Rosemary Walters
Customer Care dept
Lottery Office’s USA Mega Lotto

Anti-fraud resources: