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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: "Fred S. Carns" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fred.carn@yahoo.es>
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 05:05:39 -0700
Subject: OFFICE MESSAGE

From: Director
Office of International Affairs
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
USA.
Tel. +1 (940) 604 8891
Email: fdic.gov@outlook.com
 
Attention: Beneficiary
 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) confirms that funds have arrived USA on transit to be paid to you. We have verified the authenticity of such funds.
 
The amount authorized to be paid to you is compensation to victims of fraud. It is a special scheme endorsed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the signatory countries of the Financial Action Task Force; and handled by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from an insurance corporation point of view.
 
We are not involved with Americans alone, because all the funds that move around the world have their correspondent transit in the United States, being the financial hub of the world. At the FDIC, we work 24 hours to ensure due compliance for funds coming into the United States. This special Deposit Insurance scheme ensures that individuals' funds in excess of 1 million dollars are guaranteed and protected.
 
In line with the provisions of the Montreal Convention and its additional protocols, you are advised to pay the cost of issuing a Receivership Authorization, as demanded by the rules of the Federal Reserve and the signatory countries of the Financial Action Task Force. This will facilitate the immediate credit of your account with the fund in question without delay.
 
You must be aware that the Federal financial regulatory authorities are trying to clear out the mess in the banking and financial sector; hence the need for this authorization.
 
You will pay a fee for issuing the Receivership Authorization.
 
The receivership authorization (from the receivership office) is part of the routine clearance procedure of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in collaboration with the international watchdog for funds moving into and through the United States to all other parts of the world. When your funds arrive the USA, you have to fulfill the requisite procedure for final release. And that is what you have been asked to do.
 
We hereby state expressly, the assurances of our commitment to release your fund to you without further delay, upon your compliance with procedure. Once you pay for and secure the authorization, we shall release your approved fund in 48 hours.
 
The Receivership authorization will be issued to your bank immediately you pay this cost and your account will be credited with immediate effect.
 
Respond immediately so that you will be advised on what next to do. You can call on telephone.
 
Thank you.
 
Fred S. Carns
Director
Office of International Affairs.
(940) 604 8891
 

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