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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: "R. Hughes" <bob.hughes01001@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2015 14:27:59 +0600
Subject: Improperly Declared by Consignee

Dear sir,

I am Mr Robert Hughes the Assistant Director Inspection Unit/United
Nations Inspection Agent in Heathrow International Airport London UK.
During my recent withheld package routine check at the Airport Storage
Vault, I discovered an abandoned shipment from a Diplomat from Iraq and
when scanned it revealed an undisclosed sum of money in a metal trunk box.
The consignment was abandoned because the Contents of the consignment was
not properly declared by the consignee as "MONEY" rather it was declared
as personal effect to avoid interrogation and also the inability of the
diplomat to pay for the United Kingdom Non Inspection Charges which is
3,700 British Pound. On my assumption, the box will contain about $10
Million to $15 Million and the consignment is still left in our Storage
House here at the Heathrow International Airport London till date.

I will request, that you provide your current Phone Number and Full
Address, Please note that this consignment is supposed to have been
returned to the United States Treasury Department as unclaimed delivery
due to the delays in concluding the clearance processes. I will advise you
send the required details to my private email address which is for quick
processing and response. I can get everything concluded within 3-6 hours
upon your acceptance and proceed to your address for delivery. I am
willing to transact this business and share the money 50% to both sides,
since the consignment has not yet been returned to the United States
Treasury Department after being abandoned by the diplomat. So, immediately
the confirmation is made, I will go ahead and pay for the United Kingdom
Non Inspection Fee of 3,700 pounds and arrange for the box to be delivered
to your door-step or I personally bring it myself to avoid any more
trouble. But you have to assure me of my 50% share.

Many thanks, as I await your consideration and prompt response.

Robert Hughes
Assistant Inspection Director Heathrow International Airport
TW6 2GW London




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