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.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Philip Wright" <ch.picn.gov@gmail.com> Reply-To: un.dipw@w.cn Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2011 17:41:37 -0400 Subject: REALISTIC SUCCESS ON THE RELEASE OF YOUR FUNDS
UNFCA
United Nations Funds Clearance Authority
International Clearance & Certification Dept
United Nations - Head quarters, London
Sir/Madam
REALISTIC SUCCESS
ON THE RELEASE OF YOUR FUNDS
The United Nations funds
clearance authority hereby writes to inform you that everything is officially
set towards ensuring the perfect remittance of your funds. Our utmost priority
is to ensure maximum security of your funds' remittance and also to protect the
movement of the fund perfecting its movement successfully into your own
nominated bank account.
It has officially come to our
notice that wrong people are contacting youregarding to this your funds, we have petitioned all the fraudulent and
faceless hoodlums that have been posing themselves with bogus impersonations
and trying to extort money from you.
The United Nations funds
clearance authority are presently in the crusade of redeeming many people from various
countries (especially Americans) from the clutches of evil people, deceivers
and fraudsters the devil is presently using to poison the joy of honest beneficiaries.
I wonder why people should be used by Satan to defraud innocent citizens in
pursuit of their entitlements. We have received so many petitions and to curb
down their mischiefs and nefarious activities a disciplinary committee of African
Union is presently tracing the hide-outs of the culprits.
We hereby assure you that the favor
of God has located your payment file and you shall no more fall into the evil
net of fraudulent people. I tell you emphatically that this is the end of those
evil doers; we must apprehend and prosecute them accordingly.
We have come to deliver you
from their devilish claws and our office must ensure that your funds reach your
bank account as soon as possible. Your constant communication is important.
