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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: "Pastor George J.  Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pastor.georgejwilliams1@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2016 14:39:41 +0100
Subject: REMIT WITHHELD FUND.

UBA United Bank.
HEAD OFFICE STALLION PLAZA
Attention: Pastor George J.  Williams
Email: pastor.georgejwilliams1@hotmail.com
Direct Tel: +229-9125478
       REMIT WITHHELD FUND
In complying with the directive from the Federal Ministry of Finance to pay your inheritance/contract/lottery sum of $1,200,000 USD. An ATM Card Number: 5120 8156 1062 5647 worth USD$1,200,000 has been approved by the UBA United Bank as part payment of your claim held by the Ministry.
In view of the payment approval issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) in your favour, we request you fill out the information for verification and immediate release of your ATM card.

1.Full Name:___
2.Delivery Address (not postal address):___
3:Phone number:__
4.Occupation:__
5.Gender:___
6.Age:__

The delivery of your atm card will proceed upon completion of the verification/authentication process. Bear in mind that you will pay the courier service/insurance ($240) charge being the amount needed to courier your ATM card to your address. This is necessitated because we are not authorized to make deductions from your funds. This is the case only when you cannot come to our above office address to pick your ATM card in person.
Your atm card will be at your address within 72hrs of receipt of the courier service charge of $240 needed to courier your ATM card to your address. Please note that you have a 7days period to comply with this request, after which non-compliance will attract declaration of your ATM card as unclaimed and funds reverted to the government treasury.
Please help us to serve you better.
Yours faithfully,
Pastor George J.  Williams

Anti-fraud resources: