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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: "HALIFAX BANK PLC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <halifax.bnkplcuk@live.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 00:22:39 -0700
Subject: Dear valued beneficiary!!!!

Dear valued beneficiary,
 
This electronic message is confidential and strictly for you.
This is to inform you that we have officially verified your account with your bank and have found your account eligible to receive the fund valued 4.600,000.00GBP (Four million six hundred thousand great british pounds.) from United States of America Government ongoing compensation and empowerment program as a result of the recent world economic and financial crisis?
Please reconfirm your details once again to enable us effect transfer immediately without any further delay.
As soon as we hear from you, we shall commence the Bank to Bank T/T wire transfer into your account.
Please advise us immediately for onward action.
 
BANK NAME: HALIFAX BANK PLC
EMAIL ADDRESS: halifax.bnkplcuk@live.com
BANK OPERATION MANAGER: MR. EDWARD SMITH
Thank you
Bank Security Alert

Anti-fraud resources: