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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: "Sir Kenneth English" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kennethenglish023@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2015 18:55:52 +0200
Subject: GET BACK TO ME IMMEDIATELY!

 
EU/The United Nations
Human Rights Council
Compensation Payment Board
London UK
+44-770-008-1293
+44-702-405-1128
Attention,
We wish to convey to you that the European Union and the United Nations Human Rights Council in conjunction with The UK's Fraud Prevention Service, British Bankers’ Association, and The National Fraud Authority (NFA) on behalf of the British government have approved the sum 35,000,000.00 Million GBP = 57,723,192.06 Million USD for compensation to scam and fraud victims.
Your country's Embassy in London, United Kingdom presented 120 cases of your country men and weman that was defraud in the United Kingdom and it was confirmed by the Metropolitan police. However, you have been shortlisted to receive the sum of 300,000.00 GBP = 446,754.44 USD being your compensation as scam victim.
I wish to state here that this office in her magnanimity have approved the sum of 300,000.00 GBP = 446,754.44 USD in your favour for immediate transfer to your designated account. The approval was based on a careful and comprehensive investigation report and the clean bill of health issued by our Financial Advisory Committee, our Audit and Budget Department and the Financial Surveillance Unit.
You are expected to furnish us your banking details where the funds will be deposited without further delay
We regret to inform you that we do not have the limitless prerogative and authority to commit scarce foreign exchange indefinitely to your transaction alone. As you already know there are 120 or more beneficiary awaiting payment.
You should realize that we are committed towards ensuring that all stated transfer preconditions must be strictly adhered to In accordance with UK international transfer acts and policy before transfer can be effected. Accept our congratulations
Yours sincerely
Sir Kenneth English
+44-770-008-1293
+44-702-405-1128
 

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