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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: Usembassy <christine_switzer1@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: uembassy17@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:05:49 -0800 (PST)
Subject: U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Washington , DC 20520





  U.S. Department of State  Bureau of Consular Affairs        
Washington , DC 20520    
 UPDATE
 
 
THIS E-MAIL IS ONLY FOR THE OWNER OF THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS
Beneficiary/Owner number 2661428,
 
 
ATTENTION; Beneficiary,
 
We write to inform you that your package with reference number 2661428 has been in IMPEX COURIER UNITED KINGDOM facility custody waiting for resolutions of the clearance to further the delivery to your delivery address.We have been waiting for you to contact us regarding your consignment box which IMPEX COURIER suppose to deliver to you which was on hold by US Department of State Bureau and requesting for clearance certificate which will be obtain from the origination of the consignment box before it will be released from London, United Kingdom.
 
After the meeting held with the Government of Benin Republic, it was resolved that the delivery of your consignment to your address must be complete within two (2) working days upon your compliance to our directives; You should send the sum of $99 to obtain the needed clearance certificate from Benin Republic.  The clearance charges which was initially on the high price has been cut down by the US Embassy  Director  Hon.  Otuba Bankole Williams in Benin Republic considering the poor economic situations that make it difficult for the middle class citizens to meet up with the clearance of their entitlement.  We will upon the confirmation of your clearing charge assign our Diplomat Agent (Prince Dickson) to travel to United Kingdom and collect your package and proceed with the delivery.
 
Meanwhile you are advice to reconfirm your below information upon contacting us to avoid delivery to wrong person.
 
1-  Your Full Name ==========
2-  Your Delivery Address ========
3-  Your Contact Telephone Number========
4-  Your Occupation ===============
5-  Your Identification (Passport number or ID Card number)
 
Once you notify us with the above information we will release your consignment to you, You can contact us with the following information,
US EMBASSY DIRECTOR:Sir.Johnson Campbell
E-Mail Address=(uembassy17@yahoo.com.hk)
 Cell Line =+229-9937 5240
 
Note that you are expected to pay only $99 for clearance certificate and you are to pay it to Benin Republic as the origination of the package in favour of  Mr Simeon Nzeluo   as our accountant officer in Benin Republic Send the  $99 through western union once you receive this mail with the information below for immediate release of your package,
 
Receivers Name:====Simeon Noso.
Country/City:=======Benin Republic
Test Question:=======A
Answer: ===========B
Amount:===========$99
Control Number:===========
 
Once you send the money, try to notify us with the MTCN for easy pick up and for immediate action on the release of your consignment.
 
Note that any unclaimed consignment will be return to IMPEX Office in Benin after 2 days.
So you are urgently advised to comply with our directives so that we will release your consignment.
 
Yours Sincerely
Mr. Johnson Campbell .

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