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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: "Mr.Michael Baker" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrmichaelbaker0009900@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2013 01:55:04 +0700
Subject: REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF (US$5Million),

REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF (US$5Million),
This is the second time we are notifying you about this said fund.
After due vetting and evaluation of your file that was sent to us by the African Government in conjunction
with the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and United kingdom London
This bank has an instruction to see to the immediate release of the sum of (US$5Million) of your claim
that has been holding since is transferred into your bank Account from their Domiciliary Account with this bank.
We were meant to understand from our findings that you have been going through hard ways by paying a lot of
charges to see to the release of your fund (US$5Million), which has been the handwork of some miscreant elements from that Country.
We advice that you stop further communication with any correspondence from African,
or anywhere concerning your funds as you have met up with the whole requirements.
We know your representatives in Nigeria or anywhere will advice you to still go ahead with them,
which will be on your own risk. Your (US$5Million) will reflect in your designated bank account
within five Bank working days.
Do not go through anybody again but through this Bank if you really want your fund.
Finally, you are advice to re-confirm these to us,
your Full Name,
contact address,
occupation,
Telephone and Fax Number for easy communication.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Michael Baker,
Assistance Secretary,Kasikorn Bank of Thailand,
Here is my private! email a ddress (mrmichaelbaker2010@gmail.com)

Anti-fraud resources: