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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: "Mr.Paul.Williams" <verykind_20@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: dhldeliveryservice1984@w.cn
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 03:07:18 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dhl Courier Service West African Unit.


Dhl Delivery Company
26 Road Akpakpa Cotonou,
Republic Du Benin
E-mail: dhldeliveryservice1984@w.cn
Tel/Fax:  +229 66 31 64 33
Attention Dear Value Customer,
 
My name is Martins Smith I am the new elected director of DHL DELIVERY COMPANY in West Africa. It's my duty to inform you of this development but I will
first start by apologizing for the bad experience you might have had dealing with some people that claimed to be DHL worker while they are not and I'm deeply
sorry for what it might have cost you in the past.
 
I want you to know that after our reform today as director by our head office in London, we decided to settle all our out standing delivery before next week
and you we find a package containing your name that was supposed to have been deliver to you but due to one reason or the other, you was unable to receive
the said package, However, I want you to act very fast in claiming your package as we have arranged the delivery of your package but you are to pay $125.00
which will serve as the administrative charge to enable us reopen your file and make the delivery with immediate effect.
 
You are only advised to send the administrative charge of $125.00 via Western Union with below information:
  
Receivers Name:  CHEDOM CHUKWUEBUKA
Address: COUTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC
Test Question: S
Answer: T
Amount:  $125.00
 
Finally, you are expected to confirm below information to enable us complete the delivery of your package.
Your Name, Your current address and Your current Phone number. Please make sure you send the administrative charge within 48hours to enable us carry out the
delivery as scheduled.
 
My Warm Regard to you ane your family,
 
Martins Smith,
Mr.Paul.Williams


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