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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*" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benjamin_michael2@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 10:51:03 -0700
Subject: Are you still alive

United Nations House
Plot 617/618, Diplomatic Zone
Central Area District
P.M.B. 2851, Garki
Abuja, Nigeria.
Telephone :+234-8111-580-129
Email: benjamin_michael2@hotmail.com
MrBenjaminMichael
 
 
ATTENTION:
 
We wish to officially confirm you if you authorized one Mr.Jeff Appealgate . of  No:Suite 710, No.150, Chilin Road, Taipei City 10459, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
as your NEXT OF KIN to claim your compensation approved payment of Four Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars
 
Mr.Jeff Appleagate forwarded to us information claiming that you instructed him to claim your $4.5M USD on your behalf.
We are trying to avoid any mistake in order not to put us into trouble As a matter of urgency, you are required to re-confirm to us the
information stated below:
 
YOU'RE NAME:
RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:
MAILING ADDRESS:
YOU'RE PLACE OF ORIGIN:
YOU'RE AGE:
YOU'RE SEX:
YOU'RE OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS:
PHONE NUMBER:
 
Once we receive from you the reconfirmation of the above listed information, Your payment will be processed and the payment details and
MODES will be send to you without delay for you to choose your own way or mode of receiving your payment.
 
Thanks for your Understanding,
Dr Thomas Ship

Anti-fraud resources: