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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: "ATM PAY CENTRE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atmcentre002@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 08:38:56 -0800
Subject: RECEIVE YOUR ATM-VISA CARD NOW.

World Bank Auditors
West Africa Regional Office
4Floor Degakon Close Akpakpa Cotonou
Republic Du Benin. +229-984-301-13
 
Attention: Valued Beneficiary;
This is to officially inform you that your Interest Fund has been duly approved and gazetted for payment to you via VISA CREDIT CARD which is in partnership with Visa International and can be used through any e-payment channel (ATM and POS terminal) where visa is accepted.
 
Your Personal Identification Number is 0920. The ATM Visa Card is Valued at US$4.5M Only. You are advised to with the under listed information's for clarity and avoidance of error;
 
FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
CELL PHONE NUMBERS:
OCCUPATION:
COUNTRY:
 
Prompt response recommended for immediate attention on the delivery of the card.
Contact Person: Mr. Wilson
Email: atmpaycentre@rediffmail.com
 
Regards,
Dr.John Wilson
(Payment Officer)
 
Note: This email message (including any file attachments transmitted with it) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and legally privileged information. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender by return email and delete and/or destroy all copies of the message and any file attachments.

Anti-fraud resources: