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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 Nations compensation" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lindarail12@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2014 07:18:39 -0500
Subject: Are you dead or alive?!!

UNITED NATIONS
128w warrighton, wigan
London
United Kingdom
 
 
My name is Gregory Arthur, the Senior Directing officer of one of the many branches United Nations in europe. I am writing you concerning a situation which has come to my notice and i would like a confirmation from you before i proceed with my actions.
 
A consignment box containing a very huge amount of Fund about $15Million USD was brought here to be kept in custody by one Delegate Anderson Curtis who was assigned to Europe/Africa to handle issues involving foreign Beneficiaries being ripped each time they try to make a claim on their inheritance .This was done some months ago which the Agent stressed that the consignment belongs to you.
 
The reason why i am writing you is because a power of attorney was forwarded to our office this morning by Mr. Kelly Brown and they introduced themselves as Trevor Derek Alfred and Mr. Roland Gulf and the Barrister's name David Hayfield.They claim you have asked them to claim the fund in the consignment. They are willing to pay $1750usd to claim the fund which will be used for preparing the paper work and also for the shipment of the consignment,they made me understand that you were hit by a truck and on your death bed you gave them the right to claim the fund in the consignment. This makes me really confused, because the real amount for the preparation of paper work and for the shipment of the consignment is just $950. I have notified the Delegate Anderson concerning this matter and he has stated that he has nothing to do with it anymore and maybe these people are been truthful.
 
You are to call this office immediately for clarifications on this matter as we shall be available 24 hrs to speak with you and give you the necessary guidelines on how to ensure that your consignment is sent to you immediately.Just also be informed that any further delay from your side could be dangerous, as i would not be held responsible of wrong delivery, and you are to confirm your information again with the one i have here.
 
Full Names:
Current country:
State:
Age:
Gender:
Telephone:
Form of Identity(passport):
Occupation:
 
So,get back to me urgently and tell me if this is true,you are therefore given 24hrs as soon as you read this email to confirm the truth in this information, If you are still alive, You are to contact us back immediately, Because we work 24 hrs just to ensure that we monitor all the activities going on in regards to the delivering of your consignment.I want to know if these people have been given permission by you to claim the fund in the consignment because they have provided an attorney to stand on their behalf and he is ready to sign the change of ownership certificate and also make the payment to claim the consignment. If you are not on your deathbed as these people claim and to have this consignment delivered to you, then get back to me immediately as this required a great deal of urgency.
 
On receipt of your email, I will call the police to have these people arrested for attempted fraud and theft, but if not i will have no choice than to accept their payments, sign the change of ownership certificate and have it released to them.
 
Yours Sincerely,
Director Gregory Arthur.

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