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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: "DR. EDWARD FOX" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <anthony.unorg@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2011 16:02:57 -0700
Subject: VERY URGENT

UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION
1775 K ST NW # 400
WASHINGTON D.C., DC 20006-1500, UNITED STATES
TEL/FAX: +1-206-202-1160
Dear Email Owner/Fund Beneficiary,
IRREVOCABLE PAYMENT ORDER VIA ATM CARD
Check the attached mail for details and contact:
Mr. Anthony Mark.
Director ATM Payment Department
(Intercontinental Bank Plc London United Kingdom )
Email Address: anthonymarkprivate@hotmail.co.uk
Direct Office lines: +44-703-174-7860
Fax Number: +44-844-774-5286.
Regards,
Dr. Edward Fox
 

Anti-fraud resources: