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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "United Nations Compensation Commission" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jeffreymears@kimo.com>
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2013 08:55:10 +0100
Subject: United Nations Compensation Commission

Good day,

We need to confirm from you if Nationwide Bank Plc, London UK has credited your account, with the approved amount of US$18Million dollars as instructed by United Nations and African Union.

The African Union and UN has instructed for an immediate transfer to all beneficiaries who has an outstanding payment to collect We will be obliged to confirm from you if you have received the money from our corresponding bank the Nationwide Bank, London UK to enable us close your file and put our record straight.

Thanks for the anticipated cooperation.

Jeffrey S. Mears
Director,
United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC)
3 Vivian Avenue, London SW1Y 4TE
London

Anti-fraud resources: