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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: "Dr. Bruce Thompson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrbrucethopnsonany@superposta.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 21:43:44 +0530
Subject: CONTACT PAUL MARTINS ASAP

 
Attention: Beneficiary
 
However, we the entire WORLD BANK Chiefs, Chairmen, Directors, Law Makers, Secretaries and as Government Agencies of all States Parastatals in Union with the International World security agencies such as, FBI, CIA, SCOTLANDYARD, EUROPOL, IMF, located here in North London England apologizes to you for all you have suffered in attempt to receive your lottery/inheritance/contract fund from several avenues/countries/regions especially people from Nigeria, Ghana and London.
 
We have therefore, today finally decided to use the United Nations Security Council and Diplomatic influence, direct wire transfer or ATM CARD payment system to release your fund. The process of this requires only your readiness to receive your long awaited fund by providing us the details below.
 
A) Your full names and address.
B) Your direct telephone/mobile numbers
C) Copy of your either driver’s license or Int'l passport.
D) The amount of your fund expected to pay you.
E) Your state and country of origin.
F) Your sex, age and occupation.
 
All that you have to do right now is to contact the below HABIB ATM card department director and furnish him with the following data of yours immediately as we intend finalizing this payment in few days time.
 
Mr. Paul Martins
Habib Bank London UK
E-mail: paulmartinshabibbank@globomail.com
Direct Tel +44 7031981971
 
Finally, we require you to choose an option preferably by you to receive your fund. Do you choose to receive via ATM CARD, Bank Draft or Bank Transfer? Please indicate that to him when contacting him.
 
Thanking you for your patience and perseverance so far.
 
Best Regards,
 
Dr. Bruce Thompson
World Bank/Int'l Audit Dpt.
Zurich Switzerland.
 

Anti-fraud resources: