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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: "United Nation" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <account.dept@shqiptar.eu>
Date: Thu, 2 May 2013 08:19:06 +0200
Subject: Dear Beneficiary,

 
United Nations Compensation Unit, In Affiliation with World Bank Our Ref: U.N/WBO/042UK/2013.
Dear Beneficiary,
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family? We have been having a meeting for the past 7 months which ended 2 days ago with the secretary to the UNITED NATIONS. This email is to people who have been involved in some unsuccessful transactions in all parts of the world.
We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you. we are happy to inform you that you are among the list of beneficiaries to be compensated via the United Nations compensation program via ATM payment process. Arrangements has perfectly been concluded to effect these payments.
However, it is our pleasure to inform you that your ATM Card Number; 5490 9957 6302 4525 has been approved and upgraded in your favour. Mean while, your Secret Pin Number will be available as soon as you confirm to us the receipt of your ATM CARD.
The ATM Card has been programmed with a total amount of $500,000 US Only. You are advised to withdrawal value of US$10,000.00 daily from  any ATM Centre of your choice/nearest to you. We have also concluded delivery arrangement with our accredited courier service Company to oversee the delivery of the ATM Card to you without any further delay.
So you are hereby advised to forward to the Director for ATM SWIFT CARD Department Your full contact details as follows;
(I) Name in full (2) Telephone number (3)Correct mailing address where you want us to send your ATM card (4) Your Personal Identity Card/Drivers license (5) Occupation
Contact  Dr. Cliff Desmond  immediately for your ATM SWIFT CARD:
Person to Contact: Dr. Cliff Desmond
Email: centralbank.1950@mail.md
Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hoping to hear from you as soon as you receive your ATM CARD.
Regards,
Ms. Valerie Amos.
United Nations Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs,Emergency Relief
Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources: