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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: "Federal Reserve Board" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fischer_stanley@yahoo.com.au>
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 16:26:40 +0100
Subject: Re:- Contract/Inheritance Fund Credit from Federal Reserve Board.

Federal Reserve Board
20th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20551
 
 
 
Re:- Contract/Inheritance Fund Credit from Federal Reserve Board.
 
 
Attn: Unpaid Fund Beneficiary,
 
This letter will definitely be amazing to you because of its realistic value. Sorry for the delay and inconveniences that was rendered to you in your line of Inheritance Payment transaction with some African Banks/Officials some while ago.
 
This is to let you know that we received a credit instruction from the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) to credit your bank account with your pending contract/inheritance fund payment in the tune of US$10.5million from the Federal Government reserve account with our bank, Federal Reserve Bank Of New York.
However, what we require from you in order to commence the necessary formalities for onward release of payment to you is a re-confirmation of your particulars/bank account details where you want your fund to be transferred.
{1}. Your full name and address=
{2}. Your telephone, and fax=
{3). Bank name and address=
{4). Name on Acct and Acct numbers=
(5). Swift code / routing numbers=
(6). Your current occupation=
(7). Scan Copy of Drivers License or Working ID=
Be informed that transfer arrangement of your fund will commence immediately we hear from you with your above requested particulars. Once more, the Federal Reserve board will not hesitates to release your payment within 72hours in accordance with fund release order regulations. 
Yours Truly,
Dr. Stanley Fischer
Vice Chairman,
Federal Reserve Board
Tel: +1 (917) 775-5880

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