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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: "GPS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <james_okoro@live.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:40:12 +0200
Subject: GPS Package Information.

Attention! Attention!! Attention!!!
 
 
Dear Sir / Ma,
 
 
GOD BLESSES YOU AS YOU CO-OPERATE TO THIS E-MAIL.
 
 
On behalf of the Minister of Finance and other private sectors here in Nigeria brings about this, Regular Mail Service to deliver the unfinished Transfer of Funds and Gratuity that is in the custody of different firms and companies to the rightful owner in any countries. 
I am Barr. James Okoro (SAN), the legal attorney of Global Postal Service (GPS). The Minister of Finance has ordered the FedEx, DHL, UPS, UBA, Zenith Bank and other firms in Nigeria/Benin to release the bank draft and ATM cards to the GPS (Regular Mail Service), So that they can be mailed out to the rightful owners, because there are too many complains coming to our desk from different customers.
 
The Federal Government of Nigeria stated that beneficiaries are not accessible to cash their funds and gratuity, e.g. Some beneficiaries have not received their Bank Draft and ATM Cards due to the fact that beneficiaries cannot meet up with the required demands and amount imposed by some of this delivery companies, firms and other sectors and constant require of fees that are too much for beneficiaries to handle.
 
We are getting in touch with you to know if you have ever received an email regarding any Bank Draft and ATM Cards, please contact us back as we are ready to Mail them to you. This is an order given to me and the Global Postal Service Company by the Minister of Finance here in Nigeria.
 
Here is my contact email address
Full Names: - Barr. James Okoro
Valid Contact: - james_okoro@live.com
 
Due to the fact that most beneficiaries are unable to meet the demand of the delivery fee required of them, we introduce a "Cut down Scheme" for our clients and the delivery cost is the sum of US$75 which will be paid when all necessary steps are noted and completed.
 
Our terms and condition for this service is for us to get the bank draft and ATM cards to the rightful owner as we are not allowed to open them as they are sealed and we need honest people that knows they have not yet received their funds either in Bank Draft or ATM Cards, 
So we are expecting to hear from you.
 
 
 
Best Regards.
God bless you and your family.
Barr. James Okoro
 

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