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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: "Mr. Ben S Bernanke" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.benbernake@vf.vc>
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 06:15:25 +0100
Subject: Contract Fund Credit From Bank Federal Reserve Board

BANK FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD
33 LIBERTY STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10045
OFFICE LINE: +1-6466573338.
 
Contract Fund Credit From Bank Federal Reserve Board
 
Attn: Beneficiary.
 
This is to let you know that we received a payment credit instruction
 
from the federal government of Nigeria to credit your account with
 
your full inheritance fund of $10.5million from the Nigerian reserve
 
account with our bank.
 
However, what we required from you is your banking particulars where
 
you want your fund to be transferred.
 
{1}. Your full name and address:.........
{2}. Your telephone, and fax: .......
{3). Your bank name and address:........
{4). Your a/c name and numbers:..
(5). Your swift code / routing numbers:.....
(6) .Your current occupation:................
 
Be informed that transfer will commence immediately we hear from you
 
with the account information. Once more, bank Federal Reserve board
 
will not hesitates to credit your account within 24hours in accordance
 
with fund release order regulations.
 
Your immediate response is highly needed to enable us commence for the
 
transfer.
 
Thanks for banking with Federal Reserve Bank while we looking forward
 
to serving you better.
 
Congratulation to your inheritance fund.
 
Thanks and God bless you.
 
Regards,
 
Mr. Ben S Bernanke
Chairman From Federal Reserve Bank New York.

Anti-fraud resources: