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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: "Wilson Spencer Jr." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wilson_spencerjr@yahoo.cn>
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:23:33 -0000
Subject: HELO!!!!

Hello,
 
I saw your email among the list of unpaid contractors, inheritance, next
of kin and lottery beneficiaries that was originated from Africa, Europe,
Asia Plus Middle east, Americans) among the list of individuals and
companies that your unpaid fund has been located to United Overseas Bank
which is the paying bank now.
 
Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive a part-payment
of US$4.5 Million and has been approved already for months. You are
required to forward the following details of yours; Full names, Address,
Occupation,Age and Phone Numbers for verification and re-confirmation. You
are requested to get back to me for more direction and instruction on how
to receive your fund.
 
Once again, I apologize to you on behalf Of UN (UNITED NATIONS) failure to
pay your funds in time, which according to records in the system had been
long overdue.
Please reply through my private email for me to inform you with the
information of  United Overseas Bank which is the paying bank.
 
Please kindly reply urgently via email: wilsospence@blumail.org
 
Yours Sincerely,
Wilson Spencer Jr.
Director Legal Affairs (UN)

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