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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: "MR. Howard" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hw215122@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:50:09 +0200
Subject: United Nations Diplomat

Attention,

I am Mr. Howard Wilson, Director Unit United Nations Agent currently in Hartsfield International Airport Atlanta Georgia USA. I was sent by the united nations and the IMF to deliver your inheritance/compensation payment which you have been waiting for long. Each of the boxes contains more than $3 to $4M each and the consignment is still left in storage house till today through a registered shipping Company, Diplomatic Courier Service Limited a division of Tran guard made for Top politicians and Top Government officers.

The details of the consignment included your name, which was tagged on the Trunk boxes. So provide your private Phone number, full address, name of nearest Airport around and other details. You can send the required details to me for onward delivery.

Regards,

MR. Howard Wilson.
(United Nations Diplomat)

Anti-fraud resources: