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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: "UK Federal Reserve Board" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ronolson121@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2016 02:46:31 +0700
Subject: Global Financial Matters On Foreign Payments

This is to notify you of the development on your Contractual /Inheritance payment. Your funds are now with the United Kingdom Federal Reserve Board System for onward transfer to your wire instructions.
 
Following this year's (2016) review of the global financial matters and just concluded investigations by International Monetary Fund in conjunction with the International Fund Recovery And Management, it is revealed that your email is among the list of people who are yet to receive any of their payments of lottery winning, inheritance, compensation, awarded contract funds and victims who have lost huge sum of money while trying to claim their funds.
 
In view of the foregoing, a new payment of GB1,500.000.00 Pounds has been Approved in your favor, you would receive your funds in two instalments via Automated Teller Machine (ATM Card) /Telegraphic Electronic Transfer Via Bank To Bank, We use this medium to inform you that any email that do not come with the new communication code: UK/.CCUF -HFCR-/RLPHJ/. is false. In this case, you’re advised to ignore any email that does not come with the above communication code for safety purpose.
 
Document presented to our office by Mr. Adams Lucas from California with a bank details form (Wells Fargo Bank California branch) claimed you instructed him to receive your funds on your behalf as you are critically ill by Cancer of the Lungs. In this regards, we urge that you respond to this letter if this claim is false, it is imperative you re-confirm to this office the following details. This is to enable us know we are dealing with the right person. Also be informed, any information you provide would be kept highly confidential.
 
1  Your Full Name (As it is in ID)
2  Contact Address
3  D.O.B
4  Present Occupation
5  Telephone / mobile
6  A copy of your driver’s license / international passport
 
Note: the above information is to crosscheck with what we have in record to avoid making mistake.
 
Thanks as I look forward to your quick respond.
 
Regards,
Mrs. Yvonne Edwin
UK Federal Reserve Board System
Committee On Foreign Payments
London-United Kingdom
Telephone: +4470-4579-2248
E-mail: info@ifrma.org

Anti-fraud resources: