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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: "Ludmila Matvei" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <psriatcher@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2015 12:12:30 -0800
Subject: :SPAM: GOOD NEWS, Your US$2,620,000.00 Grant Award Notification

Dear Sir
 
Re: Transfer of US$2,620,000.00 to your bank account
 
We wish to congratulate and inform you that after thorough review of all unclaimed lottery prize money,inheritance and contract funds in conjunction with the United Nations and European Union, your payment file was forwarded to our office for the immediate transfer of US$2,620,000.00 compensation to your bank account.
 
The audit report given to us shows that you have been going through hard times by paying a lot of money to certain group of individuals and banks for the transfer of your funds.
 
If you will follow our directives, your fund of US$2,620,000.00 will be credited in your bank account by Swift transfer within three (3) working days and copies of the funds transfer documents will be sent to you and your bankers for confirmation and you do not have to pay any money or fee to receive your funds as you have met up with the whole funds transfer requirements.
 
For the immediate transfer of the US$2,620,000.00 to your bank account, kindly reply back with your TELEPHONE AND FAX number(s) today by email for further details on this funds transfer schedule.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Once again Congratulations.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Ludmila Matvei
United Nations, UK

Anti-fraud resources: