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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: "Mrs Chidera Okeke" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <2740036869@qq.com>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2014 09:32:22 -0700
Subject: Die or Alive/Urgent Attention Needed

Attention: Sir/Madam
 
We are not sure you received our previous message but we wish to us this medium to  officially inform you that following the ongoing review of all unclaimed and delayed  funds by the United Nations and the World Bank, your payment file was forwarded to  our office for immediate payment of your long delayed funds starting with a first transfer  of US$20,000,000.00 with reference No. WBC/LU-14GN, to your bank account.
 
However, we are surprised to receive another application this morning from your  representative, MR.ROBERT BERNHARDT,stating that you authorized him to transfer the funds to another bank account in Switzerland and that you were recently involved in an  auto accident and cannot walk right now. Could you please confirm immediately, your relationship
 
with MR.ROBERT BERNHARDT and also, confirm if the bank account in Switzerland as shown  below is now your new bank account information to receive your funds this week from our paying bank.
 
CREDIT SUISSE.
CH-8038 ZURICH
SWITZERLAND ACCOUNT NO:5018 1448 1308.
IBAN: CH19 0483 5018 1448 1308 1.
SWIFT CODE: CRESCHZZ80A.
 
Kindly reply today by email with Full name  and your direct telephone  number  and  House address to confirm this information to avoid wrong transfer of your funds, so that we can proceed with the transfer of the US$20,000,000.00 to your correct bank account as  scheduled.
 
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Chidera Okeke
Director Anti-Fraud Unit.
Financial Services Regulation Committee
Plot 33,ATB Way Cadastral Zone,
Abuja,Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources: