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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: "ATM Unit" <info@officemail.org>
Reply-To: mkjfr@live.com
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 19:52:06 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: Attn:Sir/ Madam,

Attn:Sir/ Madam,

Congratulations!
I am directed to inform you that your payment verification and confirmations is
OK.Your ATM Card Numbers is : 4001010257172299,Your Secret PIN Number is 8342.
The ATM Card Value is $8.5M USD Only. Respond immediately with your full name as
you want them on the card and your delivery address/Phone Number Thanks.

Congratulations once again.
Dr. Mark Jeffrey,
Director ATM Unit



Anti-fraud resources: