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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. Joseph Peterson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <finanacialunit@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2015 22:29:00 -0400
Subject: IRREVOCABLE RELEASE OF YOUR PAYMENT

Attention!
 
 
 
 
IRREVOCABLE RELEASE OF YOUR PAYMENT
 
 
I am Mr. Joseph Peterson, a financial consultant working with STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA. This is to bring to your notice that my office has taking over all the money Transaction originated from any part of Africa, Asia, America, Middle East, Australia, European countries as Contract payment, Fund inheritance or Lottery Winning due to Unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/security companies In releasing such  sum of $7,500,000.00 ( Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) Inheritance Granted to you From International Monetary Fund IMF
 
 
I am here to inform you that we have been authorized by the international Monetary Fund in conjunction with the World Bank to investigate the unnecessary delay of your Outstanding Contract Payment. We have also been empowered to recommend and approve your claims for payment if certified as genuine.
 
 
During the course of our investigation, we discovered with dismay that your payment has been unnecessarily delayed by some corrupt officials of the Bank who are Trying to divert the beneficiaries' Fund into their private accounts.
 
 
Hence Your Name appears as one of The fund beneficiaries whom their fund was successfully cleared recently From Terrorist and Money laundry and your money will be released to you through any of these means of your Choice that will be cash-able from any International Bank in your country been the only way you would receive Your money to avoid paying excess charges.
 
 
IMMEDIATE PAYMENT REF: SCBA/IRD/CBX/021/08
This is your New Payment Reference No.-35460021,
Allocation No: 674632, Password No : 339331 , Pin Code No: 55674 and your Certificate of Merit Payment No : 103 , Released Code No: 0763; Immediate Telex confirmation No: -1114433 ; Secret Code No: XXTN013 ,Having received these vital payment number.
 
 
 
To forestall this, security for your funds has been organized and for the safety of your funds we have been specifically advised to release this payment to you either by a Telegraphic Wire Transfer or ATM CARD/ MASTER CARD payment system to you. We have also agreed with the STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA, Moreover we shall make this payment as recommended by the United Nations. And be informed the Accredited Bank is STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA. This is to avoid the hopeless situation created by the Officials of the Previous Bank.
 
 
Therefore you are qualified now to received and confirm your payment with us immediately you reconfirm your Full Information to us.
 
Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:
 
1, First and last name :
2, Direct Phone, fax and mobile :
4, Occupation
5, Your Bank Details.
6, A copy of your Driving License or International Passport:
 
 
 
Best Regards,
Mr. Joseph Peterson
From Standard Bank of South Africa
Email: jopetersonimf@outlook.com
Tel: +27-732 534 685
 
 
 

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