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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: "Stanley Bounchard" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ukspecialmonitoringunit@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2017 20:16:50 -0700
Subject: Urgent confirmation Required.

Attention
 
We have been Advised to release the sum of $5,000,000.00 (Five Million Dollars only) as part of your approved fund and compensation.
 
In view of this you are required to confirm the following information:
 
Your name:
 
Your address:
 
Direct telephone Number:
 
Also be aware that this fund has been aproved to be wired to you through the HSBC Bank but if you prefer other payment option you can receive fund through diplomatic cash delivery or bank draft sent to you.
 
Your urgent reply will enable us proceed with due process of payment as approved in your favor and also send you all the necessary paper works and documentations.
 
Yours,
 
 
Stanley Bounchard
International Payment Center
ukspecialmonitoringunit@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: