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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: "American Express" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2017 01:24:21 -0400
Subject: Your reward is ready kindly verify your account

NOTIFICATION

AMERICAN EXPRESS® CARD VALIDATION

 


Your American Express Card Account Requires an Urgent Validation. Click here to proceed:  AMERICAN EXPRESS® Validation page.

You can also find the Secure Message Center by logging in to your account at American Express® Sign on Page,

Then click "Manage Your Account" and select one of your Cards to see the link to the center.

This Validation Message Will be Accessible to you Within 2 days.

We Appreciate your Cardmembership With American Express®.

 

Note: If you recieve this message as spam kindly click not spam to start the online verification process.


Contact Customer Service View Our Privacy Statement Add Us to Your Address Book

This is a customer service e-mail from American Express. To learn more about e-mail security or report a suspicious e-mail, please visit us at americanexpress.com/fraudprotection. We kindly ask you not to reply to this e-mail but instead contact us securely via customer service.

© 2017 American Express Company. All rights reserved.


TRMUNNOT0001001

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