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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: "Status Update." <ddavid.mack@gmail.com>
Reply-To: martins_murphy670@yahoo.ca
Date: Wed, 6 May 2015 21:58:48 +0100
Subject: Did You Authorise It?

Your Ref:
I am not sure you received previous messages but I wish to use this
medium to officially inform you that following the ongoing review of
all unpaid inheritance funds, your payment file was forwarded to our
office for immediate payment of your long delayed funds starting with
a first transfer of U$ 3.2mwith reference No. WBC/LU-14GN, to your
bank account. However, I am surprised to receive another application
this morning from your representative, MR.ROBERT BERNHARDT, stating
that you authorized him to transfer the funds to another bank account
in Switzerland and that you are indisposed. Could you please confirm
immediately, your relationship with MR.ROBERT BERNHARDT and also,
confirm if the bank account in Switzerland as shown below is now your
new bank account information to receive your funds from our paying
bank
CREDIT SUISSE, CH-8038 ZÃœRICH, SWITZERLAND
ACCOUNT NO:5018 1448 1308
IBAN: CH19 0483 5018 1448 1308 1
SWIFT CODE: CRESCHZZ80A
Kindly reply today by email with your telephone number to confirm this
information to avoid wrong transfer of your funds, so that I can
proceed with the transfer of the U$ 3.2mto your correct bank account
as scheduled.
Yours sincerely,

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