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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: "United Nations Organization" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <document.desk@qq.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:05:30 +0100
Subject: US$1,250,000 was directed for immediate release to you

US$1,250,000 was directed for immediate release to you It may interest you to know that the United Nations through the World Bank has released sum of Nine Hundred and Fifty Million American dollars (US$950,000,000) as settlement to all the scam victims from its Headquarters in Washington D.C, America. Your email address contain amongst the listed beneficiaries sent to us for payment of the sum total of One Million Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand American Dollars (US$1,250,000) this amount includes interest accrued over the years. We formerly write for you to immediately forward to us your names, address, direct telephone numbers and any acceptable identification of your person. To accomplish the above we have started updating files/applications for the release of beneficiaries funds. This office is working on the instruction of the World Bank through the President of Federated Africa Union, and National Committee for Amalgamated African Central Banks to pay all beneficiaries their benefits within 4days of receiving the required information as stated above. However, methods of payment are listed below:- (1) International Irrevocable Bank Draft (2) International Cheque (3) Cash payment. (4) ATM Card (Automated Teller Machine) Thanking you for the anticipated cooperation. Yours faithfully, Kevin Song Director of Funds/ Disbursement email: document.desk@qq.com United Nations House Plot 617/618, Central Area District, P.M.B 2851 Garki Abuja, Nigeria

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