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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: "Mrs. Mercy Hunt" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fedex-m-comp01@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2011 16:55:32 +0200
Subject: Contact fedex Courier Company

Dear Customer/Beneficiary!
Kindly contact our delivery department with the details Given below: FedEx Courier Express Benin Republic
ATTN: Mr. Barry Okeke
TEl: 00229-98264736
E:mail: fedex-m-comp01@hotmail.com
Reasons: This is due to the fact that we are in possession Of your Package containing a master card worth of five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars that was registered With us by the Master Card Award Team for shipment to you,
You are to act fast by providing the below to enable us makes the delivery ASAP.

YOur Full Name
Current Address:
Telephone Number:

Note that as soon as our Delivery Team confirms your Informations, it will take only two working days (48 hours) For your package to arrive your designated address. For your Information, the Mail, VAT & Shipping fees have been paid by
The Award Promo Board you will only have to pay a sum of $52.00 USD to the FedEx Courier Department being full payment For the Security Keeping Fee of the FedEx Courier as stated In our privacy terms & condition page.
Yours Faithfully,
Secretary
Mrs. Mercy Hunt ©

Anti-fraud resources: