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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: "Mrs. Helena Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barrister.wthomas0147@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 01:29:53 +0300
Subject: VERY IMPORTANT YOU STOP CONTACTING THEM FOR YOUR FUNDS!

Dear Friend,
 
 
I am Mrs. Helena Smith, I am a US citizen, 48 years Old. I reside here in New York City. My residential address is as follows. 160 Central Park South, New York United States, I am one of those that took part in the Compensation in Nigeria many years ago and they refused to pay me, I had paid over $50,000 while in the US, trying to get my payment all to no avail.
 
 
decided to travel to WASHINGTON D.C with all my compensation documents, And I was directed by the ( F B I) Director to contact Barrister Thomas Williams, who his a representative of the ( F B I ) and a member of the COMPENSATION AWARD COMMITTEE,
 
 
currently in Nigeria and I contacted him and he explained everything to me. He said whoever is contacting us through emails are fake.
 
 
He took me to the paying bank for the claim of my Compensation payment. Right now I am the most happiest woman on earth because I have received my compensation funds of $14.6 Million United start Dollars, Moreover, Barrister Thomas Williams, showed me the full information of those that are yet to receive their payments and I saw your name as one of the beneficiaries, and your email address, that is why I decided to email you to stop dealing with those people, they are not with your fund, they are only making money out of you.  I will advise you to contact Barrister Thomas Williams
 
 
       You have to contact him directly on this information below.
 
 
COMPENSATION AWARD HOUSE
Contact person : Barrister Thomas Williams
Office Address: Liver Pool Way Lagos Nig.
E-mail: barrister.wthomas0147@yahoo.com.ph
Telephone :+2347030448874
 
 
You really have to stop dealing with those people that are contacting you and telling you that your fund is with them, it is not in anyway with them, they are only taking advantage of you and they will dry you up until you have nothing.
 
 
The only money I paid after I met Barrister Thomas Williams was only $150.00 USD for the paper works, take note of that. Once again stop contacting those people, I will advise you to contact Barrister Thomas Williams so that he can help you to Deliver your fund instead of dealing with those liars that will be turning you around asking for different kind of money to complete your transaction.
 
 
Thank You and Be Blessed.
Mrs. Helena Smith
Email: mrshelenasmith4@gmail.com
 
 
160 Central Park South, New York.
United States Of America

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