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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: "natwest bank plc" <creditdepartment@natwest-bank-uk.com>
Date: Tue, 04 Apr 2006 02:33:11 +0000
Subject: VERY URGENT




Be informed that we have been mandated by the Judiciary of Great Britain to
reprocess your payment and release your fund to your bank account. This is
also to inform you that the following documents have been sent to you by
attachment but we are still expecting to receive the letter of
Administration from the Judiciary and it will communicate you as we
reprocess your payment.

a. Wire Transfer Form
b. Payment Voucher
c. letter of Administration

You are required to endorse your signature on the "Wire Transfer Form and
Payment Voucher" at the space provided for the beneficiary and return it to
us by same email attachment or to our fax number: 44-8700688625.

We advise you treat this matter as urgent. You can contact us on telephone
number: 44-7031947407. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Peter Belmont
Payment Officer
For:Natwest Bank Plc,London.


Anti-fraud resources: