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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: "Mrs. Deborah Cribbs." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <transfer_department@ciudad.com.ar>
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:47:18 -0800
Subject: ATTENTION: YOUR COMPENSATION- REF/PAYMENTS CODE: 06654

Attention Beneficiary,
We are pleased to inform you that your Claim has been included in a Presidential Pay Order in accordance with agreement reached with the United State Government to offset long and overdue claims.
Your past complain had been reviewed and your claims was approved in your favour and mandate has been given to effect your payment upon verification of your claims with the Federal Reserve Bank.
Kindly get in touch with the undersigned email: allenmurphy505@uku.co.uk  for proper process for the transfer.
Awaiting your immediate response.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Allen Murphy

Anti-fraud resources: