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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: "Efcc Nigeria" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <efcc_alert_dept@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 12:57:19 -0700
Subject: Are You Dead Or Alive?

FROM MRS FARIDA MZAMBER WAZIRI(ASSISTANCE)ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION NIGERIA INVESTIGATION BUREAU
14A AWOLOWO LANE, IKOYI
LAGOS NIGERIA.
Motto: No Body is Above the LAW
Attention:Beneficiary,
I am Hajia Farida Waziri Chairman Efcc Investigation Office Nigeria, there is presently a counter claims on your funds by one MR.TOM BROWN, who is presently trying to make us believe that you are dead and even explained that you entered into an agreement with him, to help you in receiving your fund, So here comes the big question.
Did you sign any Deed of Assignment in favor of (TOM BROWN). thereby making him the current beneficiary with his following account details:
MR TOM BROWN,
AC/NUMBER: 6503809428.
ROUTING/122006743,
B/NAME:CITI BANK,
ADDRESS:NEW YORK,USA,
we shall proceed to issue all payments details to the said Mr. TOM BROWN, if we do not hear from you within the next two working days from today.
Get back to us on this e-mail:efcc_alert_dept04@yahoo.com.hk
Thanks Hajia Farida Waziri
Chairman Efcc Investigation Office Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources: