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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: "Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cfufbi@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2019 08:18:57 -0700
Subject: Attn: Beneficiary of Fund!204

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Unit on Africa case (filed IIA-8902-F2) regarding seized Funds of Foreign Individuals and Companies 2010-Date.
 
Attn: Beneficiary of Fund!
 
 
This email is reaching you from the office of Special Agent in Charge (Michael J. Anderson) in Charge of Chicago Division field (CFO) USA.
Thank you for your email message with content noted. Sir, this is to affirm to you that my office have received and noted your email message for immediate assistance.
 
 
You are advised to kindly follow the instruction below and fill-out the plain form as directed and send back to my office for further information and discussion on the release and recovery of your funds.
 
 
Note, once we have received your full information, we shall contact you with further details and also intimate you on your funds release process.
NOTE, PLEASE DO NOT PANIC, WE ARE HERE TO HELP AND GUIDE YOU TO RECEIVE YOUR MONEY.
 
Fill out your personal details on the below plain form.
PRINT OR TYPE IN SPECIFIED SPACES.
 
 
PERSONAL INFORMATION'S
Complete Name: ---------------------- Country of Origin: --------------------------------
Present Address: ---------------------- Date of Birth: ------------------- Sex: ------------
Marital Status: ---------------Occupation: ---------Tel/Mobile: ----------------
Kindly attach a Valid I.D copy (D/L / Int'l Passport)
---------------------
The attached I.D badge is for Special Agent in charge, Michael J. Anderson.
 
Distributing or Editing is highly prohibited. This I.D badge is attached for your view only
 
Signed By,
Special Agent in Charge,
Michael J. Anderson,
Criminal Investigations Division,
Crimes & Fraud Unit
CFO (Field office)
E-mail:fbicfu@fbireps.com
United States of America
 
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify this office quickly. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named or addressed. If you are not the named/addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify this office immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake, delete from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. FBI
 

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