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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 S K Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rev_williams2006@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:50:57 +0430
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED

Attn: Sir
 
I am just returning from the Diplomatic office after I might have concluded with them on this week. There was
 
delay due to logistic problems. As such, the boxes were not airlifted. I tried to persuade them to airlift the box
 
and collect their charges upon arrival, from you. They insisted all charges must be paid before they undertake the
 
delivery contract. For this reason, the designated delivery agent of the courier company did not travel with the
 
box as planned. Though the operations manager of the courier company initially accepted my proposal, the director
 
of logistics annulled his decision. This is why the box have not arrived.
 
At the Diplomatic office on Monday, they made me to understand that I have to pay your Diplomatic airlifting
 
charges which is U$6,45.00 which I paid on your behalf.  This is to enable the Diplomatic office to issue to me
 
your Diplomatic Tag number and your Diplomatic consignment and your Diplomatic Pass Card number, which they have
 
issued to me on your behalf today after paying the airlifting charge.  This is your Diplomatic Tag number:
 
7245638792; this is your Diplomatic consignment number; 6378429371; this is your Diplomatic Pass Card number:
 
5224365874.  On the arrival of the Diplomatic official in Country, you have to mention your Diplomatic Tag number
 
and your Diplomatic Pass Card number and your Diplomatic consignment number for them to know that you are the
 
beneficiary of this consignment. Apart from this information, you will present your international passport copy or
 
driver's license, having your photograph.
 
But note that the Diplomatic official does not know the content of this consignment that contains cash payment of
 
US$32.5Million.  This is exactly why your Diplomatic airlifting charges has to be paid on your behalf. 
 
On receipt of this mail confirm back to me your willingness to receive the Diplomatic official in Country.  This
 
will enable me to send you the name of the Diplomatic official that will deliver the consignment to you on
 
arrival. Please try to send me your necessary information.
 
 
1.YOUR FULL NAME
2. PHONE AND FAX NUMBER,
3. YOUR ADDRESS
4. YOUR AGE AND CURRENT OCCUPATION
5. A COPY OF YOUR IDENTITY ATTACHED TO E-MAIL
 
 
Get back to me immediately,
 
 
Yours Faithfully, 
 
 
Dr. S. K. Williams
PAYMASTER GENERAL (CBN)
Call +234-8162028985
 
 

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