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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: "DR PHIL WILSON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <philwilson8764@e-mail.ua>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 03:06:36 -0400
Subject: MY CONDITIONS.

 
 
Re: PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION.
 
 
I  am DR PHIL WILSON  General secretary to Foreign Affairs  Ministry; my office monitors and controls the affairs of all  banks and financial institutions in London and west African concerned with  foreign contract payments. I am the final signatory to any  transfer or remittance of huge funds moving within banks both  on the local and international levels in line to foreign  contracts settlement.
I have before me list of funds,  which could not be transferred to some nominated accounts as  these accounts have been identified either as ghost accounts,  unclaimed deposits and over-invoiced sum etc. I write to  present you to the federal government that you are among the  people expecting the funds to be transferred into their account, on this note; I wish to have a deal with you as  regards to the unpaid certified contract funds.
I have  every files before me and the data's will be to change to  your name to enable you receive the fund into your nominated  bank account as the beneficiary of the fund's, As it is my duty to recommend the transfer of  these surplus funds to the Federal Government Treasury and  Reserve Accounts as unclaimed deposits,I have the opportunity  to write you based on the instructions i received 2 days ago  from the Senate Committee on Contract Payments /Foreign Debts to submit the List of payment reports / expenditures and  audited reports of revenues. Among several others, I have  decided to remit this sum following my idea that we have a  deal/agreement and I am going to do this legally.
MY CONDITIONS.
1. You will give me 50% of your contract funds as soon as you confirm it in your designated bank account.
2.  This deal must be kept secret forever, and all correspondence  will be strictly by email / telephone, for security purposes.
3.  There should be no third parties as most problems associated  with your fund release are caused by your agents or  representative.
If you AGREE with my conditions, l advise  you on what to do immediately and the transfer will commence  without delay as I will proceed to fix your name on the
Payment schedule instantly to meet the three days mandate.
 
I  hope you don't reject this offer and have the funds  transferred
 
Waiting for your reply soon.
 
Yours Sincerely.
DR PHIL WILSON
General secretary
 

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