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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: "From Mr. Samuel di Piazza." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <samueldipiazza4@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 13:48:08 -0000
Subject: THIS IS YOUR PAYMENT VERIFICATION FROM UNITED NATION LONDON.

FROM THE DESK OF SAMUEL DI PIAZZA
INSPECTION UNIT, UNITED NATIONS
U.N Heathrow Airport London.
DEPARTMENT.
 
 
PAYMENT VERIFICATION.
 
  
I am MR. SAMUEL DI PIAZZA, the Director Inspection United United Nations at Heathrow Airport London. During our investigation we discovered an abandoned shipment through a Diplomat from West Africa ship forwarder which was transferred from Heathrow Airport London to our department whithin the airport vesinity.
  
From our findings we discovered that the consignment was abandoned because the Content was not properly declared by the consignee as cash rather it was declared as personal effect to avoid diversion by the Shipping Agent and also your inability to provide complete detail to facilitate the delivery, however, all information regarding the delivery to you has been forwarded to our department here in Heathrow Airport London.
  
Upon completion of electronic scanning by our department, the result revealed the trunk was containing the sum of US$32.5M and the consignment is still left in storage department at our airport here till date. The Consignment metal box with weight of 240kg (Internal dimension:  W51 x H156 x D63 cm. Effective capacity: 480 L.) will be released to you upon reading from you on your readiness to make claims.
 
We hereby request you either arrive here in London for claims or provide your PHONE NO, FULL ADDRESS AND SCANNED COPY OF YOUR ID, this is to enable us call for your file from our head office and further re-schedule delivery to you. As soon as I read your prompt response, I shall send you the United Nations International Delivery Permit and the Ultra-Sensitive Scan Report which ascertains the original content of the metal trunk box.
  
PLEASE CONSIDER IT VERY URGENT TO RESPOND WITH YOUR FULL NAMES, CONTACT ADDRESS FOR DELIVERY, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND SCANNED COPY OF YOUR I.D. SHOULD YOU DELAY IN RESPONDING, THE AUTHORITIES SHALL ACTIVATE STORAGE CHARGES ON THE TRUNK.
 
We look forward to your urgent response with details as requested.
 
Best Regards,
  
Mr. Samuel di Piazza.
DIRECTOR AIRPORT INSPECTION UNIT
UNITED NATIONS LONDON.
Call +447031960666.

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