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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: Amos John <amosww_john12@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Amos John <courier.company@yandex.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:18:54 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: YOUR ATM VISA CARD DELIVERY


 Federal Ministry of Finance
Payment Reconciliation Panel
Via Office of the Presidency
Rue 86 Cotonou, Republic Of Benin

Attention Dear:

This is to bring you notice that I have register your ATM VISA CARD to Ups courier Company for your delivery.  I have paid their reactivate fee and courier charges and the delivery of your ATM VISA CARD.  I paid it because the ATM VISA CARD worth of {$1.7 MILLION U.S.D} has getting to expire and when it expires the money will go into Government reserve. With that reason I decided to help you pay the money so that the ATM VISA CARD will not expire, because I know that when you receive your ATM VISA CARD definitely you must compensate me

Now your ATM VISA CARD has been deposited with UPS Courier Company for delivery so I want you to contact Ups Courier Company with your Full Contact information's so that they can deliver your ATM VISA CARD to your designated address without any delay. Kindly reconfirm your contact information to them now so that they we delivery your ATM VISA CARD to your home address immediately

Like I started earlier, the delivery charges have been paid but I did not pay their official keeping fees since they refused. A reason for their refusal is because they do not know when you are going to contact them. They told me that their security keeping fee is {$35U.S.D} per day and I deposited it yesterday. So try and contact them immediately to avoid increasing of their security keeping.

BELOW IS THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION'S:
 
CONTACT PERSON: REV. TEDDY HARRIS
Manager, United Parcel Service Benin Republic
Email:  (courier.company@yandex.com)
PHONE:  +229-999-46752
As soon as you receive this mail message, try to call the Manager immediately to know when Your ATM VISA CARD could be delivering to you

Make sure that you contact them today to avoid increase of their security keeping fees and let me know once you receive your ATM VISA CARD. I am waiting to hear from you as soon as this your received this ATM VISA CARD from the Company

Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Amos John.
Auditor General
Federal Ministry of Finance
Cotonou Benin Republic

Anti-fraud resources: