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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: "Federal Inland Revenue Service" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ben.williams@secretarias.com>
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 11:27:56 -0600
Subject: YOUR CHEQUE OF $1,500,000

The Federal Inland Revenue Service of Nigeria (FIRS) wishes to inform you that your parcel containing a Cashier's Cheque of $1,500,000 which was issued and ready to be paid in your name has been in our custody as it was withheld from the Courier Agencies wanting to manipulate the delivery of the cheque and for the unforeseen delay it has gone through before we intervene.

>From the information we gathered, the parcel was covered with an insurance policy which make the cheque authentic and cashable by you alone being the beneficiary of the allocated sum. To further enable us clarify and convey your check immediately, we advice you contact and acquaint us with the following information's immediately;

Name:
Full Residential Address:
Telephone Number:

The above information should be forward to us through the Officer in charge as stated below;

Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)
Ben Williams
Email: ben.williams@secretarias.com
Tel: +23470-6651-3344

All necessary information you require will be made known to you and your parcel will be delivered within 48 Hours if you adhere to them. We are sincerely sorry for whatsoever inconveniences this might have caused you.



Federal Inland Revenue Service,
Plot 15, Sokode Crescent,
Wuse Zone 5,
PMB 33 Garki,
Abuja.

Anti-fraud resources: