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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: "World Bank Nigeria" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <danieljames@worldbankng.onmicrosoft.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 19:37:06 -0500
Subject: [97-50]-Fund Approved for payment $10.5Million Usd (Get Back To Us Immediately)

Attention: Sir/Madam
 
Good day. I apologize for sending you this sensitive information via e-mail instead of a Certified mail/Post-mail.
This is due to the urgency and importance of the information.
You fund has been approved for payment and i need you to get back to me for further information.
 
Reply Back as you read.
 
contact; danieljames@worldBankng.onmicrosoft.com
 
Best Regard
Mr. Daniel James

Anti-fraud resources: