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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: "Zenith Bank" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2015 16:09:56 -0800
Subject: We have credited your fund ($10M) into an ATM Visa Card

Zenith International Bank Plc
ATM Visa/Swift Card Unit,

Attn: Beneficiary,

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Zenith
International Bank Nigeria PLC has
released your Contract/Inheritance/Compensation Fund of Ten Million
United States Dollars only ($10M) to you as the fund beneficiary.

We have credited your fund ($10M) into an ATM Visa Card which will be
sending to your doorstep by Courier Service on the provision of your
personal details. How to receive your ATM Visa Card; you are required
to reconfirm to me your personal details as follows:

Full Name;
Full Address (where you want to receive your ATM Card);
Occupation;
Country;
Phone Number;
Sex/Age;


As soon as you supply your contact information, your card will be
processed and the money credited into it for delivery. Please note
delivery fee of your ATM CARD shall be taken care of
by you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,
Dr. Dickson Ebo.
Private email: drdicksonebo@gmail.com
Finance and Audit Department, Zenith Bank

Anti-fraud resources: