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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: "ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <efcc.nigeria@bol.com.br>
Date: Sun, 27 May 2012 15:12:32 +0100
Subject: FAILED COMPENSATION/ INHERITANCE FUND SUM TRANSFER.

Attention:

My name is Mr Ibrahim Lamorde the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's new executive officer in Nigeria. I was until my appointment the director of operations of the EFCC under the leadership of the erstwhile chairperson Mrs Farida Waziri. I understand you were expecting a certain sum of money to be wired to your bank account but your expectation was not met.

I am contacting you to let you know the truth, which is that the activities of some internet fraudsters has been stifling all of your effort and ours, which has caused you to pay vast sums of money to scammers who frequently impersonate the identity of real government and bank officials to help make themselves and their scam appear legitimate.

I also want to warn that right now my person is being impersonated by this fraudulent individuals and this will make it difficult for you to know whom to contact. I will be ready to help in delivering your fund sum to you with your honest and sincere co-operation with my office. If you believe i could be of immense assistance to you, do inform me accordingly.

Sincerely,
Mr Ibrahim Lamorde,
Chairman,
EFCC.

Anti-fraud resources: