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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: "Federal Bureau Of Investigation" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <internetwatch@fedinfodept.org>
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2010 02:59:35 -0600
Subject: CONTACT SKYE BANK NIG., PLC WITH YOUR NEW PAYMENT CODE.(SBN/0098).

Attn:

The Skye Bank Nigeria Plc informed us the FBI, that they are through withthe first (1st) quarter transfer to beneficiaries, and that they are ready to start with the (2nd) quarter transfer to beneficiaries where your payment file belongs to now.

And since they are in the second quarter of fund released to beneficiaries, the bank states that the old payment code: to your inheritance contract funds has been changed and that the new payment code: to your contract funds will be (SBN/0098), take note of the new payment code: (SBN/0098), any e-mail you receive henceforth that does not have your payment code: (SBN/0098). Should be disregarded immediately and forwarded to us for immediate investigation. Warning: Note that you are advised not to disclose the said inheritance contract funds with anyone until your said contract funds has been fully released to you, and ensure that you contact the bank (skyeban-knigplc09@live.com) with your payment code: (SBN/0098).

Immediately you receive this e-mail from us. Any e-mail that you receive stating that your inheritance contract fund is ready without the new payment code, should be disregarded immediately. CONTACT THE BANK AT THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS: (skyeban-knigplc09@live.com) IMMEDIATELY.

Thank You And Have A Nice Day.

In God We Trust.

Robert S. Mueller III
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20535-0001, USA.

Anti-fraud resources: