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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: "Loretta Elizabeth Lynch" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <agent100000@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2017 17:56:12 -0300
Subject: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MAIN SWITCHBOARD

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
950 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, DC
20530-0001,USA
WEBSITE:  HTTP://WWW.JUSTICE.GOV
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MAIN SWITCHBOARD
 
 
 
Attn
 
 
We sincerely apologize for sending you this sensitive information via e-mail instead of a certified mail, post-mail, phone or face to face conversation, it's due to the urgency and importance of the security information of our citizenry.
 
 
I am Loretta Elizabeth Lynch, i was born in the year 21 May, 1959, i am an American by Nationality and married to Stephen Hargrove, I am the 83rd and current serving Attorney General of the United States, having recently served as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York (2010–2015).
 
 
On my assumption of office, I met your file of payment worth of US$10, .500,000.00 (Ten Million five Hundred Thousand Dollars) submitted by my predecessor Mr. Eric H. Holder Jr and after going through the file of payment, I was able to find out that all the necessary approval has been submitted and you have  to signed all that is necessary to claim this funds. My office hereby advises you to choose your preferred option of payment either through ATM CARD, BANK DRAFT, and BANK CHEAQUE OR WIRE TRANSFER. Kindly choose one option and notify my office for my humble action.
 
 
However, be advice based on our recommendation/instructions that your complete contract/inheritance over-due funds will be released immediately upon your contact to the newly appointed payment officer that will carry out the dispatch of your funds You are therefore advised to contact my personal assistant and also the appointed director of financial and foreign operation department (Mr. Denson Kerley) immediately throug the email as stated below .
 
Name: Mr. Denson Kerley
Email: agent100000@yahoo.com
 
 
You're advise to contact him immediately so as to enable him facilitate a speedy processing and release of your funds Contact him with the following information as below:
 
1. Your full name.........................................
2. Contact address.........................................
3. Your age..........................................
4. Occupation............................................
5. Phones and fax number....................
6. Country..........................................
7. Your id.................................................
 
 
My office is eager to work with you if you will exhibit mutual understanding and avoid doubts, when he was handing over to me before the swearing in ceremony I assure him that I will start from where he stopped. All I and my office demanded is your honesty. American Government is watching us and I don’t want us to be an object of public deride.
 
 
I give you my word that the transfer will be initiated to your bank account immediately the necessary is done.
 
 
We welcome you and we pledge for your honesty and support.
 
 
I am poised to serve you better.
 
 
Loretta E. Lynch
83rd United States Attorney General
Incumbent
Assumed office
April 27, 2015
President       Barack Obama
Deputy  Sally Yates (Acting)
Preceded by     Eric Holder

Anti-fraud resources: