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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: "GT Bank UK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <funds.transfer@gtb-uk.co>
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2015 16:59:53 +0100
Subject: Re: Pending Funds Transfer Notice..

Guaranty Trust Bank (UK) Limited
60-62 Margaret Street,
London W1W 8TF, United Kingdom.

Dear Unclaimed Draft Owner,

This is to notify you that, your Bank Draft for (1,000,000 GBP) has finally arrived our bank in South London from the (COCA-COLA SWEEPSTAKES LOTTERY COMMISSION) London UK.
Your Funds transfer shall commerce immediately your responds to this notice is received. Please quote the the transfer codes below while responding to this notice.

Funds Transfer Code: Coke/GTB/1002
Draft Number: GTB/015/0000

Mrs. Garish Singh.
Head of Human Resources.
Guaranty Trust Bank (UK) Limited
Transfer Officer

Anti-fraud resources: