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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: "SARAH GRACIA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <saragracia@globomail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 May 2012 04:16:51 -0800
Subject: YOURS SINCERELY

 
My name is MISS SARAH GRACIA.I am a Computer Scientist working with Central Bank of Nigeria CBN. I am 27 years old, just started working with CBN. I came across your file marked X and your released disk painted RED. I took time to study it and tried to find out why the funds were not released to you.
 
Those evil officials can never tell you the truth that they won't release the fund to you; instead they allow you spend your money unnecessarily. I do not intend to work here forever; I can help you claim your fund if you can certify me of my security and assure me that you would settle with me after you must have received your payment. I must do this because you need to know the status of your payment and cause for the delay. This is like a Mafia setting in Nigeria and you may not understand because you are not a Nigerian.
 
The only thing needed to release this fund to you is the (Currency Differentiation Certificate), which will be-tendered to any of your nominated bank and the Internal Revenue Service IRS for clearance of the transferred amount in your account. Once the Original Currency Differentiation Certificate, fund will immediately reflect in your bank within 10 Minutes. The only authorized and sincere person who will issue you the Original Documents is Mrs. Mary Roberts.
 
Make sure you indicate your file letter X and tell her its painted color Red so she will be able to recognize your file. The president made a compensation fund release for all unpaid beneficiaries/contractors. Therefore, you are not going to receive your original initial fund, the compensation fund release bonus will be added to your original fund payment. The whole funds both your initial payment and the compensation payment shall be transferred to your bank account as soon as the
Original documents are cleared.
 
 
Do get back to me ASAP if you are still interested in claiming your fund.
 
My e-mail address is 1sarahgarcia@one.co.il
 
Yours sincerely,
MISS SARAH GRACIA

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