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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: "Mr. Smith Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <smithjdiplomat@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2017 19:21:14 -0000
Subject: WE JUST ARRIVED WITH YOUR CONSIGNMENTS WORTH USD10.5 MILLION!!

US DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20220
 
Attention Consignment Owner ,
 
I am Mr. Smith Johnson from the Treasury Department , Washington Dc, United States of America, i am presently at the  Portland International Jetport, New Hampshire (NH) on inspection of a consignment delivered by the World Express delivery company, West Africa Ghana, which was led by Agent Janet Holp and the consignment got here safely in your name as the rightful owner.
 
But during the inspection, a man called Simon David came inn to us in person with proof that you authorized him to take control over your consignment , the agents here interrogated him and have him arrested since we suspected that his claims is not genuine, your consignment of $10.5 Million is presently here at our department, he further stated that you had a vital accident which caused the amputation of your legs and you are presently taken out of the United States for treatment, now he is in position to receive your consignment worth of $10.5 Million Dollars, but initially, the consignment was programmed in your name as the owner, this impostor had been tracked down here and he will be dealt with under the law prior that we know 100% that you did not permit him to act on your behalf.
 
Note that issues like this had been happening many times which causes much delays on your transaction ever since you have been working on it, payment to wrong people by believing in their lies, but right now, the USA Treasury Department have taken control over the finalization and the delivery of your consignment will reach your home address as soon as you comply with our instructions, this transaction requires no document of any kind, It is an instruction from Mr. President Barack Obama and James Comey, the new elected FBI director who really want to proof that all long time waiting transaction should be released to the owner in less than 24 hours once the owner complied with the requirement and i am instructed  to work fast on the delivery of your consignment to your door step with all proof to this consignment. i will advise you to please work with us now to avoid wrong interceptions.
 
Do consider the fact that, many email will reach you from different people claiming they have your transaction with them, do disregard such for the main time until we will have your consignment deliver, otherwise, you will still be under this same condition of paying tribute fees to unwanted areas.
 
Now , understand that , we need you to please reconfirm your full info to us, you telephone number and Identity card for proper identification on the delivery point, must be attached to your response.
 
I will have my identity card attached and send to you once I receive an response to this email , including my SSN number as soon as i hear from you, please understand that i was instructed by the USA government to do this the genuine and importance of this transaction and i will want you to please keep my information very confidential as i am going to keep yours too.
 
We have to get this consignment deliver to you as soon as possible.
 
Get back to me with the needed info today unfailingly with the reconfirmation of the below info for proper recognition.
 
FULL NAME :
ADDRESS :
PHONE NUMBER :
PRESENT OCCUPATION :
SCANNED IDENTITY CARD :
 
I will send my phone number as soon as i hear back from you for more discussion
 
Regards
Agent Smith Johnson

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