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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 state reserve bank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <statestreasurydept@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2014 06:17:57 -0500
Subject: UNITED STATE PAYMENT APPROVAL

Dear Beneficiary,
 
This is to inform you about the America government fund release exercise this year.Your part payment claimed of $5.2 Million dollar have not be release to you,because you have be dealing with the non government official peoples and scammer,this is why your file have not been approved for payment.After the meeting held with the IRS and United state treasury and United State Finance authority.
 
To avoid been scam, your fund will be release to you via credit card,the credit card will be send to you by the finance authority,after you must have received your card,your payment claim of $5.2 Million dollar will be credited to your card.You will not pay for any legal fee.Provide us with the information below,so that we can be able to act accordinly to the instruction given to us.
 
First name:
Last name:
Address:
Date of Birth:
SSN:
Tel:
ID card:
 
 
Most importantly for your notice,any legal expenses will be deducted from your fund.You have to provide the above information,to be sure we are releasing your fund to right person.Because we will not be blame that your fund is sent to the wrong beneficiary.
 
As soon as we receive this information,Your card and payment will be ready for you in 48 hours,this is the fatest way to receive your payment,or if you prefare your payment to be send to your account.
 
Most importantly,be warn not to pay any money to any one claiming that you have a fund.You should provide the information above,to be sure you are who you are,so that your fund will not be paid to the wrong person.
 
Awaiting your prompt respond.
 
Yours Faithfully.
 
Richard Fisher.

Anti-fraud resources: