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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: "ROBERT MUELLER III" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <muellerrobert830@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:50:49 +0100
Subject: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION SEEKING TO WIRETAP THE INTERNET.

ROBERT MUELLER III
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI. WASHINGTON DC.
FBI SEEKING TO WIRETAP INTERNET.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION SEEKING TO WIRETAP THE INTERNET.
 
ATTN:BENEFICIARY.
    
We believe that this notification meets you in a very good present state of mind and health. We the federal bureau of investigation (FBI) in conjunction with some other relevant investigation agencies here in the United States of America have recently been informed through our global intelligence monitoring network that you presently have a transaction going on with the We further advise that you go ahead in dealing with the Central Bank office accordingly as we will be monitoring all their services with you as well as your correspondence at all level.
    
We were also made to understand that a lady with name Mrs. Joan C.Bailey from OHIO has already contacted them and also presented to them all the necessary documentation evidencing your claim purported to have been signed personally by you prior to the release of your contract fund valued at about US$1,500,000.00 (One million five hundred thousand united states dollars), but the Central Bank office did the wise thing by insisting on hearing from you personally before they go ahead on wiring your fund to the Bank information which was forwarded to them by the above named Lady so that the main reason why they contacted us so as to assist them in making the investigation.
    
Contact immediately the office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) via email with the below information accordingly:
 
NAME: SANUSI LAMIDO
OFFICE ADDRESS: Central Bank of Nigeria,
Central Business District,
Cadastral Zone, Abuja, Federal
Capital Territory, Nigeria.
Email: (info.cbnoffice@consultant.com)
 
    
    
Meanwhile, we will advise that you contact the office of the Governor of the Central Bank immediately with the above email address and request that they attend to your payment file as directed,so as to enable you receive your contract fund accordingly.
    
To this effect, you are required to reconfirm and authenticate your given particulars below for certainty and onward processing and release of your funds as we may not be held liable for any wrong payment.
    
    
FULL NAMES: __________________________________
CITY: _________________________
STATE: __________________________________
ZIP: ______________
COUNTRY________________________________
SEX: _______________
AGE: __________________
TELEPHONE NUMBER: _____________________
       
Ensure you follow all their procedure as may be required by them as that will further help hasten up the whole procedure as regard to the transfer of your fund to you as designated. Also have in mind that the Central Bank of Nigeria equally have their own protocol of operation as stipulated on their banking terms, so delay could be very dangerous. Thank you very much for your anticipated co-operation in advance as we earnestly await your urgent response to this matter.
 
Best Regards
 
 
Robert S. Mueller III
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C.
20535-0001, USA
 
 

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