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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: "United Nations." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jimoviazenithbnk@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:03:53 -0700
Subject: UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION UNIT.

UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION UNIT,
IN AFFILIATION WITH ZENITH BANK
From: Special Envoy to
Secretary-General BAN KI-MOON
 
SIR/MADAM.
 
This is to bring to your notice that we are delegated from the UNITED NATIONS and Zenith Bank, to pay 50 victims from your country who has being Victims of Internet scam, The United Nations has decided to pay you $500,000 USD (five Hundred Thousand Dollars) each. You are listed and approved for this payment as one of the scammed victims to be paid this amount,get back to this office as soon as possible for the immediate payment of your $500,000 USD compensation funds.
 
My dear friend I will like you to contact the finance house for the collection of this international certificated bank draft. The name and contact address of The Person in charge of your payment is Mr. Jim Ovia.
 
Send a copy of your response to official email:
SECURITY & FINANCIAL CONTACT AGENT: Mr. Jim Ovia
EMAIL: jimoviazenithbnk@aol.com
CELL PHONE: +234-809-583-5224
 
You are advised to send your communication particulars.
Full names
Telephone
Fax numbers
Mailing Address
Age
Occupation
E-mail Address
A Copy Of Your Passport.
 
 
To enable us have your payment approved, You are advised to forward this information to the above office for payment release of your compensation.
 
Yours Faithfully,
 
Mrs.Mariam Moore
Secretary United Nations
West Africa
General Ban Ki-Moon.
( Financial officer )United Nations.

Anti-fraud resources: