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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "ANTI FRAUD UNIT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <us2nig@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 19:22:19 -0500
Subject: IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED

Dear Valued Customer,
    
    
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$10,500.000.00 with reference No. NG/FM-95WA, to your bank account.
    
However, we are surprised to receive another application this morning from your representative, MR.HANS STEINBICHLER,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.HANS STEINBICHLER 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 Z?RICH,SWITZERLAND
ACCOUNT NO:0872-456011-91
IBAN: CH55 0487 2045 6011 9100 0
SWIFT CODE: CRESCHZZ8OT
    
Kindly get in touch with us today by email with your telephone number to confirm this information to avoid wrong transfer of your funds, so that we can proceed with the transfer of the US$10,500.000 to your correct bank account as scheduled.
    
    
    
Yours sincerely,
    
    
Mr. James Dobson
Director,Anti-Fraud Unit.
Financial Services Regulation Committee
Plot 33,ATB Way Cadastral Zone,Abuja,NIG

Anti-fraud resources: