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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: "Halifax Bank U.K" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <foreign-banking@uk-halifax.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2016 10:17:21 -0400
Subject: Information From Halifax Bank U.K #37751

Halifax Bank,
350/355 Cabot Place East,
Canary Wharf
LONDON, E14 4QT,
United Kingdom.

Attn: Sir


RE: INSTRUCTIONS TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF US$6,500,000.00


We at this bank wish to congratulate and inform you that after thorough review of your long with-held Inheritance/Contract funds transfer release documents in conjunction with the World Bank, Bank of England and the International Remittance Division assessment report, your payment file was forwarded to us for immediate transfer of a part payment US$6,500,000.00 to your designated bank account from their offshore account with us.

The Auditor’s reports forwarded to us shows that you have been going through hard times for the release funds, which has been delayed by some dubious officials. We therefore advice that you stop further communication with any correspondence outside this office since you do not have to pay any fee to receive your funds as you have met up with the whole funds transfer requirements.

Should you follow our directives, your funds will be credited and confirm in your bank account within five (5) bank working days. Kindly fill/complete the attached form and send back to us along with your IDENTIFICATION(international passport or driving license) to enable us start processing your fund transfer. You can respond through email foreign-banking@uk-halifax.com or Fax: +44-203-514-0299

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Bernard Atkinson
Foreign Banking Division
Halifax Bank
Phone: +44-203-529-6308
Fax: +44-203-514-0299

Anti-fraud resources: