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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: "Mr. Terry Empty" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <terryempty@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2017 18:09:00 +0100
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT!!!

 
ATTENTION:
 
The sum of $4.5 million. out of your over due total sum has been approved
for payment through ATM cash card system after all attempts to pay you
through
 
bank, and diplomatic courier failed. The approved sum has been programmed
into the ATM cash card which will be dispatched to you through your
address upon
 
reconfirmation. I have made several attempts to contact you and this is
the 3rd and perhaps the last email to you in respect to this matter.
Meanwhile,
 
I received a power of attorney from one CAMBELL WILLIE from USA
purportedly issued by you asking us to change the fund beneficiary to his
name hence we are
 
seeking for your confirmation as soon as possible. to this end, you should
Kindly Re-confirm these information to me.
 
(1) Your Full Names:-
 
(2) Address:-
 
(3) Your Phone Numbers:-
 
NOTE: The actual fees for shipping your ATM card is just $95.00 nothing
more and no hidden fees of any sort! Upon receipt of payment the delivery
officer
 
will ensure that your package is sent within 24 working hours. Because I
am very sure of everything I am giving you a 100% money back guarantee if
you do not
 
receive payment/package within the next 24hrs after you have made the
payment for shipping.
 
Regards
 
Mr. Terry Empty

Anti-fraud resources: