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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: "UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fredbilly04@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2016 16:42:37 -0400
Subject: SCAMMED VICTIM COMPENSATION!!!

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535
 
We the BRITISH High Commission received a report of fraudulent acts against you and other British/US Citizens whom in a meeting held with the Government and the world high commissions against fraudulent activities by Citizens, Your are among those scammed, as listed by the Financial Intelligent Unit (NFIU). A re-compensation has been issued out in the form of an ATM DEBIT CARD of $6.5,000USD (SIX Million,Five Hundred thousand United States dollars)  and has already been in distribution to you as a Victim.
 
Your ATM CARD was among those that was reported undelivered as we wish to advise you to follow the instructions of the Committee to make sure you receive your ATM CARD immediately for your usage. NFIU further told us that the use of the Couriers  was abolished due to interception activities noticed in the above mentioned courier services in which the Financial Intelligent Unit have made a concrete arrangement with the Courier Company for a safe delivery to your door-step once the beneficiary meets up the demand of the conveyance.
 
We advise that you do the needful to make sure they dispatch your recompense on time. You are assured of the safety of your ATM CARD availability,also be advised that you should stop further contacts with all the fake lawyers and security companies who in collaboration have a scam deal with you immediately to check if the delivery date suits you.
 
You have to stop all contact with any other company emailing you online concerning Money, and make sure you forward to them all thier email and mobile numbers and you will contact Mr. Fred Billy for your ATM DEBIT CARD through his email:(fredbilly04@yahoo.com) Let us know immedaitely you receive it there.
 
Yours truly,
 
JAMES B COMEY
DIRECTOR
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535

Anti-fraud resources: