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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: "FBI SCAM ALERT!" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fbi_anticrime.investigation@live.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:08:17 +0100
Subject: FBI SCAM ALERT!

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.
935 PENSON AVENUE, NW
ROOM 3236,
WASHINGTION DC 20535.
(202) 324-3096
PP/FD2606.

ATTN:

TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN...

THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE SOME INVESTIGATION GOING ON WHICH WE NEED YOU TO C0-OPERATE WITH US TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS. WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH ALL INTERNET MAIL SERVICE PROVIDERS TO FIGHT AGAINST SCAMS AND FRAUDS.

WE ARE DOING THIS JUST TO SAFE AND PREVENT YOU FROM FALLING VICTIMS OF THESE INTERNENT FRAUDSTERS. WE WANT TO HELP YOU FIGHT AGAINST SCAM AND FRAUDULENTS MAILS FROM GETTING ACCESS INTO YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS.

PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU HAVE RECIEVED AN E-MAIL TELLING YOU TO MAKE SOME PAYMENT, MAILS TELLING YOU THAT YOU HAVE SOME FUNDS, ATM CARDS OR PACKAGES ESPECIALLY FROM AFRICA. PLEASE YOU ARE HEREBY ADVICED TO IGNORE SUCH MAILS.

IF YOU HAVED RECIEVED OR ABOUT TO RECIEVE SUCH MAILS, KINDLY FORWARD THEM TO US FOR PROPER INVESTIGATIONS....

YOU CAN REPLY VIA E-MAIL TO OUR CARE CENTER
fbi_anticrime.investigation@live.com

BEST REGARDS,
DR. KIMBERLY MORGAN
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (FBI)

Anti-fraud resources: