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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: "EFCC Care-Center Intelligence-Monitoring Network" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <efcccarecenter@yahoo.cn>
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:16:21 +1000
Subject: Please confirm your knowledge with this claims.

Attention Beneficiary,

This is to bring to your notice that our office (EFCC Care Center Intelligence-Monitoring Network) has carried an investigation which clears you as the true beneficiary of $10,500,000.00usd certified bank draft payment being an inheritance from late George W. Wilson who was a contractor with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporations before his death but we received a report that one John Wheeler came with the pretense that you are dead haven made him your next of kin to the said payment, so we are writing to inform you that the impostor (John Wheeler) who is claiming he is your next of kin has been arrested for impersonation and attempt to defraud you but before we take him to court for further prosecution and for possible jail sentence, you are advice to confirm your knowledge with him and his claims, (that is) did you in anyway permitted him as your next of kin to the $10.5millionusd being your supposed inheritance payment from Late George W. Wilson? But if not, then get back wi
th a reconfirmation of you

Full name:
Direct contact address:
Direct phone number: (This is very important for confirmation by phone)
Age, Sex, Status etc:

We hope this is well understood as we anticipate your cooperation and for any clarification or verification on phone, you can call me at +234 809 440 9976.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Harris Onyema
(Director of operations)

Anti-fraud resources: