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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: Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon <fileleo@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: jimovia54@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:07:17 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: (( PAYMENT CODE-82509 ))





UNITED NATIONS / WORLD BANK COMPENSATION UNIT.
 
Congratulations Beneficiary,
 
 
We wish to inform you that the UN / WORLD BANK ORGANIZATION facilitated around-table meetings which just ended some days ago, and it has been agreed upon that compensation payment of US$5,000,000.00 should be paid to scammed individuals whose Name and E-mail have been chosen through an open E-mail ballot system. Your email was included and that is why we have contacted you.
 
These also includes every foreign contractors that may have not received their contract sum and people that have had an unfinished transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government problems or the other etc. Also, we have been receiving complains from beneficiaries informing us that they are yet to receive the payment due scams emanating from Africa as well.
 
However, it is my pleasure to inform your Bank Draft No: 158545*90*3365*99940333 have been reserved for you which contain your certified amount. So you are hereby advised to contact our payment representative in Africa affiliated with ZENITH PAYMENT CENTER with your payment code: 82509.
 
You are advised to contact Dr. Jim Ovia of our paying center in Africa, as he is our representative in Africa, contact him immediately for your Cheque/ International Bank Draft of USD$5,000,000.00. This fund is in a Bank Draft for security purpose ok? So he will send it to you and you can clear it in any bank of your choice there in your country.
 
 
You are to contact Dr. Jim Ovia at the address below:
Contact Person: Dr. Jim Ovia
E-MAIL: drjimovia54@hotmail.com
PHONE: +2348067414454
 
You are required to contact the above person and furnish him with the following of your information that will be required to avoid any mistakes:-
 
1. Your Full name:
2. Your Country:
3. Contact Address:
4. Telephone Number:
5. Fax Number:
6. Marital Status:
7. Occupation:
8. Sex:
9. Age:
 
Congratulations, and I look forward to hear from you as soon as you confirm your payment making the world a better place.
 
Regards,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.
http://www.un.org/sg/

Anti-fraud resources: