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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: "MRS.Janet L.Yellen" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 02:09:12 -0800
Subject: Federal Reserve Bank New York(REPLY NEEDED)

Federal Reserve Bank New York
Ref.:Payment Release Update.
Amount Valued: US$12,800,000.00.
 
                                    Foreign payment allocation
 
security code (US/A84PRFGN2016)
 
Attention: Beneficiary,
 
By means of this message, we wish to inform you that your hour of
compensation and actualization has come after our meeting with the
United Nations, Bank of America, Central Bank of Nigeria and the
Federal Reserve Bank officials, it has been agreed that your real
approved funds valued US$10,500,000.00 and the compensation of
US$2,300,000.00 (Total US$12,800,000.00) will now be processed and
released to your Bank Account through Wire Transfer Department of the
Federal Reserve Bank New York.
 
However, it may interest you to know that after the meeting, with the
Bank of America, Central Bank of Nigeria and Office of the Director
On-line Account Department have entered into full partnership with the
Federal Reserve Bank and your funds Total valued US$12,800,000.00 will
now be credited to you by the Wire Transfer Department of the Federal
Reserve Bank as soon as you make contact with me.
 
To this effect, you are to contact us with the details below for the
immediate release of your funds.
 
Full Name:-----------------------
Address:-----------------------
Country:-----------------------
Telephone:-----------------------
Mobile:-----------------------
Alternative Email:-----------------------
Your id or international passport:-----------------------
 
Thanks for banking with Federal Reserve Bank New York while we looking
forward to serving you with the best of our service.
 
Thanks and Congratulations in Advance.
 
Best Regards,
 
MRS.Janet L.Yellen
(CHAIR) FEDERAL RESERVE GOVERNOR NEW YORK

Anti-fraud resources: