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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: "MR MICHAEL BAKER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <natwestbankaccountsection2@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2015 15:28:12 +0100
Subject: REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF (US$5Million)210.90.192.195

135 Bishopsgate,
London EC2M 3UR
Tell=+447035969549
Fax+448435643403
REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF (US$5Million)
 
This is the second time we are notifying you about this said fund. After due vetting and evaluation of your file that
was sent to us by the Nigerian Government in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
 
This bank has an instruction to see to the immediate release of the sum of (US$5Million) of your claim that
has been holding since is transferred into your bank Account from their Domiciliary Account with this bank.
 
We were meant to understand from our findings that you have been going through hard ways by
paying a lot of charges to see to the release of your fund (US$5Million),
which has been the handwork of some miscreant elements from that Country.
 
We advice that you stop further communication with any correspondence from any bank , or anywhere
concerning your funds as you will receive your fund from this bank if you follow our instruction.
 
We know your representatives in Nigeria or anywhere will advice you to still go ahead with them,
which will be on your own risk. Your (US$5Million) will reflect in your designated bank account within five Bank working days.
 
Do not go through anybody again but through this Bank if you really want your fund.
Finally, you are advice to re-confirm these to us,
Your Full Name,
Contact address,
Occupation
Telephone and Fax Number for easy communication.
We need your second email gmail or hotmail for security and private reasons.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Michael Baker,
Assistance Secretary,
Nat West Bank, London United Kingdom.
Here is my private! Email address (mrmichaelbaker5999@yahoo.com)

Anti-fraud resources: