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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: "Ms. Carman L. Lapointe" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mscarman.lapointe88@mail.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 2015 10:40:09 -0200
Subject: Instant Payment Arrangement...

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES
Internal Audit,Monitoring,Consulting And Investigations Division.
Attention:
My name is Ms. Carman L. Lapointe, from the United Nations. It is a distinct pleasure to write you again. As you are well aware many foreigners have invested thousands of United States Dollars into Nigeria transactions in Hopeless Dreams to have none of them become a reality.
Right now, as directed by our secretary general Mr.Ban Ki-Moon, We have agreed with the Nigeria Government that US$1,000,000.00 (One Million United States Dollars Only) would be paid to you through the Bank Transfer Via special arrangement as first installment.
This is to enable you have enough funds to pay for the Tax Clearance and Bank Charges before you will receive the balance of US$14.1M (Fourteen Million One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only).
Lastly,i will like you to reconfirm your information to me such as your full name, address, telephone number and banking information so that I will process with your Bank Transfer within the next 24 hrs and the transaction information will be released to you.
I await your response for further proceedings.
Sincerely yours,
Ms. Carman L. Lapointe
E-mail: mscarman.lapointe88@mail.com
{Under-Secretary-General}

Anti-fraud resources: