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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: "Ronald Vitiello" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ronaldvitiello@post.com>
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2017 18:52:40 -0700
Subject: YOUR PACKAGE NOTIFICATION

*CBP Headquarters*
*Office of Public Affairs*
*1300 Pennsylvania Ave.**, N.W*
 
 
 
 
*The U.S. Customs and Border Protection of national security and economic prosperity.*
 
 
 
*We are writing you in regards to a Package in our custody, a diplomats was stopped at the border in possession of a metal box which weight of about 25kg (Internal dimension: W61 x H156 x D73 (cm). Effective capacity: 110 LBS approximately, destine to your name and address.
 
 
 
The diplomat could not produce all the necessary clearance papers which made us to put the package on hold until we receive the Clearance document as the customs require. the Content of the package was not properly declared by the consignee as money, rather it was declared as film materials to avoid diversion by the shipping agent.
 
 
 
Please provide your name, phone number and full home address, to cross check if it corresponds with the name and address on the consignment including the name of nearest airport around your city and other details. Below is my direct telephone number. Call me as soon as you receive this mail and I assure you that this is 100% risk free.
 
 
 
NOTE: If You Receive This Message In Your Junk Or Spam It's Due To Your Internet Provider. I can be reached at (717-745-7351) Leave me a text or Voice Message if i am unavailable to received your call. my private email address: (ronaldvitiello@post.com) for assistance.
 
 
 
Yours Faithfully,
Ronald Vitiello
+1-717-745-7351
 
 
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Note: The information contained in this e-mail is private & confidential and may also be legally privileged. please do not disclose the contents of this message to anyone.
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