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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: mario-draghi <mario-draghi@bol.com.br>
Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2011 10:16:33 -0200
Subject: KINDLY RESPOND TO AVOID YOUR FUND BEING DECLARED UNCLAIMED


Dear,Beneficiary,
 
My name is Mario Draghi,i just replaced Mr. Jean-Claude Trichet as the European Central Bank president.There is a clause on your payment file. I was meant to understand that there are some controversies surrounding this particular payment. The instruction here is that your payment will be done in person and in cash. Would you like to come for this payment in person.
 
Sir,i contacted you because the dates on your file are very recent,and this is why i want to know why you abandoned this fund.The fund has been declared unclaimed,and this fund will possibily go to EU government.If you like i will like to have a meeting with you through our financial consultant (MIKE ANDERSON & ASSOCIATES).They will discuss with you about the fund and the possible means of transferring the fund to your account.
 
I have come to re-form banking in Europe.Though your fund has been declared unclaimed,but i will like to hear f rom  you before i give a final aproval which will finally declare the fund unclaimed.
But in the meantime, I will like you to briefly tell me about yourself. Please the reason is to make sure we are dealing with the right person.
 
 
Sincerely,
Mr. Mario Draghi

 


 


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