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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 Chung Chio" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <roy.desmond@yandex.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2014 02:33:12 +0300
Subject: To Whom It May Concern urgent.

To Whom it My Concern,
 
 
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family?, You may not understand why this mail came to you.We have been having a meeting for the passed 7 months which ended 2 days ago with the secretary to the UNITED NATIONS. This email is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the world in terms of lottery, western union scams, Next of Kins etc.
The UNITED NATIONS have agreed to compensate them with the sum of US$4,999.99 This includes every foreign contractors that may have not received their contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc.
We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you, This have been agreed upon and have been signed Therefore, we are happy to inform you that an arrangement has perfectly been concluded to effect your payment as soon as possible in our bid to be transparent..
However, it is our pleasure to inform you that your ATM Card Number; 4342 9957 6302 4525 has been approved and upgraded in your favor.
Meanwhile, your Secret Pin Number will be available as soon as you confirm to us the receipt of your ATM CARD.
The ATM Card Value is $4,999.99 USD Only. You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of US$4,999.99 is permitted daily.
And we are duly inter-switched and you can make withdrawal in any location of the ATM Center of your choice/nearest to you any where in the world.
We have also concluded delivery arrangement with our accredited courier service Company to oversee the delivery of the ATM Card to you without any further delay.So you are hereby advice to forward to this office Director ATM SWIFT CARD Department Therefore. You should send him below details:
 
 
* Your full Name ................................
* Telephone #....................................
* Your correct mailing address................... (NOT P.O.BOX)
* Occupation.....................................
* Marital Status.................................
* Country........................................
 
 
 
 
Where you want him to send the ATM to you. Cotact Managing Director MR ROY D.DESMOND immediately for your ATM SWIFT CARD by responding back to this message.
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
Hoping to hear from you as soon as you receive your ATM CARD.
Making the world a better place
Regards,
Dr. Kofi Annan
Former Secretary (UNITED NATIONS)
cc: Mr Chung Chio (Payment Control Co-ordinator Officier)

Anti-fraud resources: