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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: "U.N FINANCE DEPARTMENT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <edwardsmith.halifax@live.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:56:35 +0930
Subject: CONTACT HALIFAX BANK PLC

Dear valued beneficiary,

This electronic message is confidential and strictly for you.

This is to inform you that we have officially verified your account with your bank and have found your account eligible to receive the fund valued £4.600,000.00 (Four Million, Six hundred thousand Great British Pounds.) from United States of America Government ongoing compensation and empowerment program as a result of the recent world economic and financial crisis? Please Contact Halifax Bank Plc, London to enable effect of transfer immediately without any further delay.

As soon as they hear from you, transfer protocols shall commence through the international Bank to Bank Wired Transfer into your account. Please advice immediately for onward action.

BANK NAME: HALIFAX BANK PLC
BANK OPERATION MANAGER: MR. EDWARD SMITH
EMAIL ADDRESS: edwardsmith.halifax@live.com
FAX: +44 871 5035 979

Thank you
Financial Department
United Nations
Bank Security Alert


Anti-fraud resources: