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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: Federal Reserve Bank <root@dms.com.co>
Reply-To: <marcuhilbert@w.cn>
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:01:19 +0200
Subject: RE-OUTSTANDING PAYMENT......FEDERAL RESERVE BANK(BENIN)

FROM THE DESK OF MR. MARCUZ HILBERT FEDERAL RESERVE BANK(BENIN) INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AGENCY INTERNATIONAL OPERATION DEPT 13,MEZON AV TOKPA MOUKOA COTONU-BENIN Good Day RE-OUTSTANDING PAYMENT......FEDERAL RESERVE BANK(BENIN) Good day , this is to inform you of your Long overdue Payment outstanding in our Banking records . I saw your name in the Central Computer list of unpaid inheritance claims individuals and have to update your informations through this email contact for immediate confirmation . Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive apart-paymentof (1.8 million Uero) and it has been approved already for payment months ago . However we received an email from one Mr.Thomson Smith who told us that he is your next of kin and that you died in a car accident last four months back . He has also submitted his account informations to this office department for transfer of the fund to him as your next of kin. We are now verifying by contacting your email address as we have in our Bank record before we can make the transfer into his account and for us to conclude confirmation if you are dead or not. Please , confirm response immediately before our action release of the outstanding payment against your name listed out . Upon this, i request you send your full personal information as soon as possible to enable this department finalize the transfer of the fund release to your nominated foreign Bank Account.This department needs the following informations from you urgently. Please email your information's to this email ID (marcuzhilbert200@gmail.com) 1,Full Names................... 2,Telephone ........................ 3,Contact Address............................... 4,A Scan Passport or Any Form of Identification........ 5,Current living Source............................. CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This E-Mail is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged,confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law...Once again , I apologize to you on behalf of International Monetary fund Agency towards this contact and proper confirmation required urgently from you if alive . You can get back to me on this ID (marcuzhilbert200@gmail.com) Thanks, Yours Sincerly Mr. Marcuz Hilbert International Monetary Fund Agency INTERNATIONAL OPERATION DEPT EX8 2EP. Reg No 2866127

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