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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: "Woods Howard Frnee" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <woodshfrnee16@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2015 23:44:58 +0100
Subject: Attn: Consignee

Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
10000 W O'Hare Ave, Chicago, IL 60666, United States..
 
Attn: Consignee,
 
This is to inform you that your Consignment with serial number OH/19810/US was abandoned because of false declarations in your Consignment Bill of entry originally declared as personal effect while it contained Valuable cash.  After examination the estimated Valuable Cash revealed in the Consignment is approximately $4Million Dollars. We have just reconciled your manifest information as Valuable cash in the new Bill of entry.
 
Important Procedure and Options.
 
1. It is requested that you come personally for clearance yourself or you assign somebody who will do that for you. If this is okay with you let me know so that l will guide you on how to proceed with the clearance.
 
2. The Consignment can as well be delivered to your address through a secured Courier Company but you will bear the cost of dispatch since we are not allowed in anyway to dispatch. The cost will be paid prior to the dispatch because they do not accept COD. They have the licence to freight Cash too and they will pay Tax on the shipment at the Airport before lift off.
 
Note that all documents accompanying this shipment is inside the Consignment.
 
Let me know the option that is best for you.
 
Please provide urgently.
 
1. Name of Recipient. (Very Important)
2. Address of Recipient. (Not P.O. Box).
3. Airport Closest to you.
4. Your ID card or Recipient ID attached to this email.
5. Cell phone Number.
 
Best Regard,
 
Mr. Woods Howard Frnee.

Anti-fraud resources: