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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "FBI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fbiheadquartersdc@qatar.io>
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:02:10 +0100
Subject: AN OFFICIAL ADVISE

ANTI TERRORIST &  MONITORY CRIME DIVISION
FBI HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON , D.C.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
J. EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON , D.C. 20535-0001
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Attn: Beneficiary,
 
 
 
 
This is an official advise from the FBI CRIME DEPARTMENT as it has come to our notice that the Central Bank of Nigeria / World Bank has deposited USD$10, 500, 000.00 US Dollars into Citibank New York  in your name as the beneficiary being for your overdue payment / Inheritance payment.
 
Going by our records, this kind of payment in the past has always been related to Money Laundry / Terrorist Acts so we do not want you to get into any trouble with the IRS and Homeland Securities including our office (FBI) as soon as these funds reflect in your Bank Account So it is our duty as a worldwide commission to correct this problem before this fund will be credited into your personal Bank Account.
To this effect, We have decided to contact you directly to acquire the proper Verifications and proof from you to show that you are the rightful beneficiary to receive this fund because of the amount involve so we ask them not to credit the fund to you yet as we need a solid proof and Verifications from you before you can receive the funds.
 
In this regards, you are to re-assure and proof to us that the fund you are about to receive is clean and free from illegal activities by sending to us your Diplomatic Immunity Seal Of Transfer (DIST) issued by the ICPC  OFFICE NIGERIA to satisfy us that the money is legitimate and you are to forward the document to us immediately if you have it in your possession, if you don't have it let us know so that we will direct you on how to obtain the document from the ICPC OFFICE NIGERIA.
 
 
 
We await for your prompt response on this email.
 
 
 
Faithfully Yours,
 
 
 
 
FBI Director
Robert Mueller.


Anti-fraud resources: