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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: "UNITED NATIONS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pduninfo@katamail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2015 16:24:16 -0600
Subject: YOUR ATM CARD PAYMENT

We the people… A stronger UN for a better world.
1775 K St Washington D.C., DC
20240-0004, United States
United Nations
 
Dear fund beneficiary,
 
RE: IRREVOCABLE PAYMENT ORDER VIA ATM CARD
 
Based on series of petitions we received from various organizations such as Cooperate Bodies and Non Governmental Organization (NGO) on the Inability of some Government officials, Commercial banks and World Lottery Organization to settle their clients Contract debt, Inheritance and Winning Prizes. We have been authorized by the Debt Reconciliation Unit of this institution, to investigate the unnecessary delay on payment approved in your favor. During the course of our investigation, we discovered with dismay that your payment has been unnecessarily delayed by corrupt officials of the Bank who are trying to divert your funds into their personal accounts.
 
After an extensive close door meeting yesterday, it was resolved and agreed upon that Keystone Bank Nigeria Plc will work extensively to ensure that all contract payment, Inheritance and Lottery Winning Prizes be settled without any hassle. For security reasons, your funds will be packaged in form of your personal Identification number (PIN) ATM CARD and this will enable only you to have direct control over your funds. We will monitor this payment ourselves to avoid the hopeless situation created by previous bank officials.
 
An irrevocable payment guarantee has been issued by the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on your Payment. However, we are happy to inform you that based on our recommendation/Instructions; your complete Inheritance funds have been credited in your favor through ATM CARD.
 
You are therefore advice to contact:
 
KEYSTONE BANK NIGERIA PLC
Forex Department
Contact Person: Mrs. Maria Olateju Phillips
Email: forexdepta@r7.com
 
You are requested to contact him now for the delivery of your ATM Card. As soon as you establish a contact with him, an ATM card will be issued to you immediately which you can use from any Bank ATM Machine in the world. So if you like to receive your funds through this means, you are advised to contact (Mrs. Maria Olateju Phillips) with the following information as stated below:
 
1. Your Full Name:
2. Address:
3. A copy of your ID/ Age:
4. Occupation:
5. Telephone Numbers:
 
NOTE: You are advised to furnish Mrs. Maria Olateju Phillips with your correct and valid details. Also be informed that the amount to be paid to you is US$16,200,000.00 (Sixteen Million two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) we expect your urgent response to this email to enable us monitor the payment effectively.
 
Congratulations.
Mr. Patrick Davis.

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