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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: "UNCC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrjim_ovia101@live.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:53:27 +0100
Subject: GOOD NEWS

Attn:Sir/ma.
How are you today and hope all is well with you and family?You may not
understand why this mail came to you,but i will implore you to take your
time to carefully go through this mail.

We have been having a meeting for the pass 7 months which ended 4 days ago at
our office head quarters New York(UNITED NATIONS). This email is to all
the people that feel they have been scammed in any part of the world,the
UNITED NATION have agreed to compensate them with the sum of US$ 100,000.

This includes every foreign contractors that may have not received their
contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or
international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc.

We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you,this
have been agreed upon and has been signed. You are advised to contact Mr.
Jim Ovia of ZENITH BANK NIGERIA PLC, as he is our representative in
Nigeria, contact him immediately for your Cheque/International Bank Draft
of USD$ 100,000. This funds are in a Bank Draft for security purpose
OK? so he will send it to you and you can clear it at any bank of your
choice.

Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your
correct mailing address where you want him to send the Draft to you.

Contact:Mr. Jim Ovia immediately for your Cheque:
Person to Contact Mr. Jim Ovia
Email: mrjim_ovia101@live.co.uk

Thanks and God bless you and your family.Hoping to hear from you as
soon as you cash your Bank Draft.

Making the world a better place.

Regards,
Mr. Koffi Anann
Former Secretary (UNITED NATIONS).

Anti-fraud resources: