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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: "Dr. Michael Jones" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <unitednationlondonuk@mail.mn>
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2013 21:31:01 +0200
Subject: From Director Legal Affairs UNITED NATIONS LONDON

Dear Beneficiary,
 
I saw your name (in our Central Computer 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 funds.
 
Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive a part-payment of US$5 Million this first quarters of the year 2013 and it has been approved already. 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.
 
You are advise to contact immedaitly the United Nations Foreign Transfer Unit in the person of Dr. Michael Jones with Email address: unitednationlondonuk@mail.mn
 
Please kindly contact him as advice as to enable you receive your funds without any further delay.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Dr. Mark Friedrich
Director Legal Affairs (UN)

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