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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: "FACEBOOK ONLINE INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <facebookclaimsofficefb@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2017 12:55:27 -0700
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS FROM FACEBOOK

FROM: FACEBOOK ONLINE INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY
THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR,
LOTTERY DEPARTMENT,
PROMO UNIT, FACEBOOK INC.
 
Dear Facebook User,
 
CONGRATULATIONS FROM FACEBOOK!!!
 
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded Final draws held on the (18Th April 2017) by Facebook group in cash Promotion to encourage all Facebook users worldwide, your Name was among the 15 Lucky winners who won $500,000.00 USD. each on the Facebook group promotion Award Attached to Batch Number (FB-225-7736) and Winning Number (FB-172-60) Ref Number (FB-0281/544)
 
You are required to contact our dispatch dept via email (facebookclaimsofficefb@gmail.com) for further instructions as regards fund claim. Also signify your interest by providing the following information:
 
Full Name:
Phone Number:
Contact Address:
Country:
State:
Age:
Marital Status:
Occupation:
 
Yours Faithfully,
Liliana Giodano
Secretary, Promo Coordinator.
FACEBOOK INC. © 2017.

Anti-fraud resources: