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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: "Alexander F. Tiemann." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr_wcdrenquiry@w.cn>
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:11:38 -0000
Subject: VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED

RE: PAYMENT VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED......LAST REMINDER

Dear payment beneficiary,

NOTIFICATION OF UNCLAIMED FUND.

I write to officially inform you about this particular Fund in a name same as that attached to this email address in the fund release records before me. I presume you are the bona fide person, the accredited beneficiary to this payment. All payment approvals have been certified and ready for immediate release. But to my surprise, the fund associated with this name/email address of possibly yours until this moment has neither been claimed nor applied for its release by you.

I am the director of the recently inaugurated Supervisory board of the World Commission on debts recovery (WCDR) set up by UN in her bid to guide all payment offset processes of major foreign debts that originated from Europe, Asia, Africa, etc as to revamp these days global harsh Economy. I decided to write you having verified and certified your payment. I discovered that there were some irregularities perpetrated by the then officials which made it impossible for you to receive your payment.

I know that you may have received this type of proposal which did not materialize in the past, but I want you to respond fast and be assured that I will use my office to assist you and facilitate your receiving the payment without delay or regret, only on the condition that you pledge your utmost trust and support. You should adhere and follow my instructions till you receive your fund.

Get back to me with your full names (with your surname written first) and your present contact-residential or office address. Give me your direct mobile phone numbers as I will unfold further operational modes that will make this transaction a success this period. I will do all that is within my capacity to make all authorities concern to release this fund to you. I want to assist you based on humanitarian selfless policy of mine in life generally. I know that if you do not get this fund it will be moved back to its country/ministry of origin as unclaimed fund. That will neither benefit you nor me not even in any form of appreciation as I look forward to from you when you finally get this fund. But if you are not expecting payment from any quarter, country or ministry do respond and sincerely explain that. I will on that note advise you on what to do.

I await your prompt response. I will surely help you to the best of my ability and capacity.
Compliment of the season.
Yours Faithfully.
Alexander F. Tiemann.
Director, Payment Verifications & Approvals.
World Commission on debts recovery (WCDR)
World Bank Assisted Programs Regional Supervisory Department.
Notice: The contents of the preceding e-mail should not be interpreted or construed as legal or tax advice. Furthermore, the information contained in the preceding e-mail transmission is intended for the use of the named addressee only and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient you have received; it could be as a result internet massage errors. Delivery to an unintended recipient is not a waiver of any privilege. If you received this message in error, please notify this commission immediately by e-mail or completely delete this message from your system. Thank you.

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