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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: "Mr Godswill Obinna" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zenithdirect1@outlook.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2015 04:55:24 -0500
Subject: IRREVOCABLE PAYMENT ORDER VIA ATM CARD

IRREVOCABLE PAYMENT ORDER VIA ATM CARD
 
We have  been authorized by the newly appointed united nation secretary general, and the governing body of the UNITED NATIONS monetary unit, to investigate the unnecessary delay on your payment, recommended and approved in your favor. During the course of our investigation, we discovered with dismay that your payment has been unnecessarily Delayed by corrupt officials of the Bank who are Trying to divert your funds into their private accounts.
 
To forestall this, security for your funds was organized in the form of your personal Identification number (PIN) ATM CARD and this will enable only you to have direct Control over your funds in the ATM CARD. We will monitor this payment ourselves to avoid the hopeless situation created by the Officials of the bank.
 
An irrevocable payment guarantee has been issued by the Presidency, through the Bank of Ghana on your Payment. However, we are happy to inform you that based on our recommendation/instructions, your complete  funds has bee credited in your favor through ATM CARD. You are therefore advice to reconfirm the following information as stated below:
 
1. PHONES AND FAX NUMBER,
2. ADDRESS WHERE YOU WANT THEM TO SEND YOUR ATM CARD
TO (P.O BOX NOT ACCEPTABLE)
3. YOUR AGE AND CURRENT OCCUPATION
4. FULL NAMES
 
 
We expect your urgent response to this email to enable us monitor this payment effectively thereby making contact with appropriate authorities as directed to avoid further delay.
 
we shall get back to you with possible directions as soon as we hear from you.
Its very important you call me immediately with this number
+2349092764391 Mr Obinna  Godswill
 
Congratulations !!
 
Mr Obinna  Godswill

Anti-fraud resources: