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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: "Mr. W. Stuart Symington" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stuartsymington440@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2017 15:58:33 +0800
Subject: THIS MAIL IS ONLY FOR THE OWNER OF THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS

Greeting from U.S Embassy,
THIS MAIL IS ONLY FOR THE OWNER OF THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS
Form US Ambassador to Federal Republic of Nigeria
United States Consulate General Nigeria
No 7 Mambilla Street ,Off Aso Drive
Maitama District Abuja Nigeria
Direct Telephone Number: (+234-701-159-4076)
 
ATTENTION: PLEASE.
 
I am the new US Ambassador to Nigeria, my name is Mr. W. Stuart Symington from United States, I was sworn in as the US Ambassador to Nigeria on October 31.. I am a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of minister- counselor, was raised in Missouri and comes from a distinguished political family. Prior to becoming the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, earned a bachelor’s degree from Brown University, and a Juris Doctorate from Columbia University.
 
I clerked for the Chief Judge of the Eastern District of Missouri, then litigated and practiced corporate law in New York, London, Paris, and St. Joseph, Missouri, before becoming a Foreign Service Officer in 1986.
 
And i has a broad background in U.S. policy, with experience supporting peacekeeping missions, democratic transition and consolidation, counter-terrorism, economic development, and public health.
 
I has an extensive background in Africa, I having previously served as the Chief of Mission in Rwanda (2008-2011) and Djibouti (2006-2008), as well as the Special Representative for the Central African Republic (2014-2015). Most recently, I was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Africa and African Security Affairs before being nominated to his current position and i has received numerous Department of State awards and speaks French and Spanish.
 
 
 
I would like to inform you that your funds issue was brought to my office this morning because the director of the United Bank For Africa (U.B.A) here in Nigeria said that they have uploaded your inheritance fund worth ($5,000,000,00) into a new Visa Card but since then they have not heard from you, so the case was brought to my office in a view to Cancel your fund and divert it into government treasuries account, because of your sudden silence  to comply with delivery terms and conditions. Then, I asked what are the conditions but i was told that you are been required to pay the delivery charges cost $150 but i told him to wait because there is no need to cancel the payment because of ordinary that i will do my very possible best to bring the issue to conclusion since it has been brought to my office.
 
 
To the best of my knowledge, i found out that this fund is legitimate and i advise you should send the delivery charges cost $150 to ship your Visa Card that contains your inheritance fund that worth five Million United States Dollars only ($5,000,000.00) I guarantee that this fund will be delivered under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. I will be here guiding you on the inheritance matter as well as backing you up with all the necessary information that may be required. What could be your reason of refusal and chosen to abandon such huge amount of money?
 
I want your urgent reconfirmation of your delivery information to me such as your full name, address and telephone number as soon as you receive this email. Because this is last opportunity you have to receive your inheritance fund so do not fail to notice this wonderful moment to have your fund that you have been looking for way to making it reality. I will be waiting to hear from you to resolve the issue as quickly as possible for you to receive your overdue payment.
 
This message contains information about the bilateral relationship between the United States of America and the Nigeria as well as foreign policy, economic affairs, domestic issues, and U.S. society and values. Led by the Ambassador, the U.S. Mission works to foster a friendly relationship between the U.S. and Nigeria for the benefit of both countries.
 
 
You are also required to confirm the information below as your full information so that I would know am dealing with the right person okay you can also contact my secretary Frank Alex  with this Phone number for more details (+234-701-159-4076)
 
Full name..
Address...
City...
Your email.…
State/Country….
Direct phone number..
 
 
PAYMENT INSTRUCTION:
 
Receiver Name: Samuel Alaoma
COUNTRY: NIGERIA
CITY::::ABUJA
TEST QUESTION:  URGENT
ANSWER: TODAY
AMOUNT: $150 USD
MTCN NUMBER. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 
AS SOON AS I RECEIVE THE INFORMATION, I WILL INFORM  WHEN THE CARD WILL GET TO YOU
 
GET BACK TO ME IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE MUCH
TIME TO SPEND HERE IN NIGERIA.
 
CALL MY SECRETARY WITH THIS NUMBER FOR MORE INFORMATION: +234-701-159-4076
 
CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN.
 
MY BEST REGARDS.
 
W. Stuart Symington
 
UNITED STATE AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA

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