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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: "Dr. Michael Brown" <amandass_p9@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: michaelbrown_100@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:54:10 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Your Payment File.








Dr. Michael Brown,
Financial Services Supervision Commission,
United Kingdom District Office,
Whitehall Court, London, Sw1a 2el
Email: michaelbrown_100@yahoo.co.jp
 
Attention:
 
I am Dr. Michael Brown, Director General, Funds Reconciliation and Payment Department, Financial Services Supervision Commission.
 
In accordance with The International Board for Funds Reconciliation and Payment, in conjunction with The World Bank Financial Services Regulatory Program, we are officially mandated to recover and reconcile all genuine payments due to local and foreign beneficiaries and effect payments without further delay. 
 
I wish to officially confirm that your file is on my desk reflecting an over-due payment in your favor. Available data indicated that your over-due payment resulted from irregularities in your payment file occasioned by fraudulent misrepresentation and deliberate breach of financial procedures by your  contact person(s).
 
You are required to submit documented evidence of beneficiary of fund for official verification and immediate payment via our accredited banks. More importantly, you are strictly required to stop further communications with your Attorney and contact person(s) for avoidance of possible complications.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Dr. Michael Brown



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