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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: "Douglas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zuma.douglas@yahoo.fr>
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:24:20 +0400
Subject: FROM UNITED NATION TO YOU

FROM UNITED NATION TO YOU
 
Attn,
Compliments of the day.
We just received a memo today from CITI bank of Nigeria regarding your outstanding payment of $8,500.000.00 which a false application was made by an impostor to change payment receiving details and account number which you did not confirm your knowledge on that.
Having discovered as stated above and considering the corruption with Nigerian and Banks in Africa, the world bank auditors in conjunction with united Nation foreign payment committee have resolved to settle your bill from a reserve account for safety and successful getting your delayed payment. we are going to pay you by the newly formed body of UN world bank direct payment committee, you can get direct payment in Dubai, India, China and Mexico/ united stated of America physically pending on your understanding and agreement to comply and qualify to get such payment by the mode indicated here. We can also make a wire transfer, but on a mutual understanding and agreement to such services terms.
to know exactly the process and requirements from beneficiary to qualify for such payment term stated herein email this office now for guideline. we are trying to avoid any upfront payment from beneficiary before getting paid his or her delayed payment, and such cannot be possible is this transaction is settled by banking wire transfer.
for more details, please call the below indicated telephone number on your receipt of this mail.
Regards.
Dr.Zuma Douglas.

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