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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: "Michael" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bankbeker@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 May 2011 13:37:11 -0700
Subject: TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT

INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF (US$28Million),
This is the second time we are notifying you about this said fund.
After due vetting and evaluation of your file that was sent to us by
the Nigerian Government in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance
and Central Bank of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This bank has an instruction to see to the immediate release of the
sum of (US$28Million) of your claim that has been holding since is
transferred into your bank Account from their Domiciliary Account with
this bank.
 
We were meant to understand from our findings that you have been going
through hard ways by paying a lot of charges to see to the release of
your fund (US$28Million), which has been the handwork of some
miscreant elements from that Country.
We advice that you stop further communication with any correspondence
from Nigeria, or anywhere concerning your funds as you have met up
with the whole requirements.
We know your representatives in Nigeria or anywhere will advice you to
still go ahead with them, which will be on your own risk. Your
(US$28Million) will reflect in your designated bank account within
five Bank working days.
 
Do not go through anybody again but through this Bank if you really
want your fund.
Finally, you are advice to re-confirm these to us,
Your Full Name,
Contact address,
Occupation
Telephone
And Fax Number for easy communication.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Michael Baker,
Assistance Secretary,
Nat West Bank, London United Kingdom.

Anti-fraud resources: