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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: "Patrick Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jbabra2@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:30:32 +0100
Subject: Your Payment

From: Patrick Brown
Tel: +44-755-383-5853
Fax: +44 709 298 2491
Email: ppbrown2007@aol.com
Email: ppbrown2007@gmail.com

The Payment Beneficiary,

I am a Diplomat Patrick Brown, I have been mandated to deliver your payment to you in your country of residence using the diplomatic system of delivery. We are aware that you have pursued these funds vigorously to be wired to you through bank to bank transfer and this has failed.

The funds have now been repackaged in two diplomatic boxes with you as the beneficiary of the funds following details contained in the documents attached to the transaction, a letter of authority was signed by Mr. Michael Gerald of the Financial Services Authority mandating me to move these funds via the diplomatic means to you in your country.

To enable me carry out the movement of this package you are required to reconfirm your details thus:

1. Full Name
2. Address (where you want delivery to be made)
3. Direct Telephone Numbers
4. Date of Birth

We may also require a copy of your identification. After verification of the information with what I have on file, I shall contact you so that we can make arrangements on the exact time I will be bringing your package to your residential address or any address as mentioned by you in the process of this delivery

We await your quick response to this email to enable us carry out the process of delivery.

Regards
Patrick Brown

Anti-fraud resources: