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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: "Mrs. Mary Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <henrymarkson_unitedn@zing.vn>
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:05:11 -0400
Subject: Attn:The Beneficiary....13/03/2013

Attn:The Beneficiary
 
Under the United Nations scam victims rehabilitation scheme You are listed and approved to receive payment of of USD3.500,000 as one of the scammed victims. (THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS)
Be guided therefore to get in touch with the country supervising payment officer in Nigeria ASAP via his given information so that he can release your funds to you as per our standing instruction.
 
Name:-  Mr.Hery Markson
Email:-henrymarkson_unitedn@zing.vn
TEL:- +234 80-2640-3077
 
Notify us in writing as soon as you get paid of the above amount.
Faithfully yours,
Mrs. Mary Johnson
united_nation@zing.vn

Anti-fraud resources: