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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: "INTEGRATED PAYMENT SYSTEM" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paymentdepart45@sify.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:51:20 -0700
Subject: YOUR FILE HAS FINALLY BEEN SHORTLISTED FOR PAYMENT

Dr Brian Williams
Integrated Payment Department
African Development Bank
Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
West Africa.

REF- ATM CARD NOTIFICATION

Attn SIR /MADAM

This is to bring to your notice that approval have been granted by the AFRICA UNION, SOUTHERN AFRICAN GOVERNMENT FORUM and also ECOWAS ( Economic Community of west African States) instructing the AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) to verify all Outstanding Payment then go ahead and pay victims who have been scammed globally through the internet services.

We have been Mandated by the ECOWAS Parliament to issue out $1,3m as part payment for this fiscal year 2010, We also will like to inform you that your Payment File was shortlisted for First Quarter of 2010. Your due payment has been approved and will be Remitted without further Delay

I once tried to notify you about this development but my mail was returned undelivered, You are listed and approved for this payment as one of the beneficiaries to be paid, Get back to me as soon as possible for detailed email and the immediate release of your compensation payment

You are also advised to send your communication particulars which includes the following

Full names
Residential Address details
Telephone Fax numbers
Age
Occupation
valid E-mail Address

To enable us have your payment approved, You are advised to forward this information to this office for payment release of your compensation.

You are also requested to stop any further communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitch in receiving your payment as Scheduled

Yours faithfully,

Dr Brian Williams


Anti-fraud resources: