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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: "Dr. Miguel PINTO" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <miguel-pinto@consultant.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2017 12:25:41 -0700
Subject: Business Proposal

Dear friend,
 
My name is Dr. Miguel PINTO, the regional manager of International leading bank here in SPAIN.
 
I am married with two kids.
 
I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit both of us. As the regional manager of the bank, its my duty to send financial reports to my head office in United Kingdom.
 
On the course of the last year 2016 end of the years report, I trade with a deposit amount of Thirty Six Million Five Hundred and Eighty Thousand US Dollars (USD$36,580.000.00) that was deposited by (W.H.O, World Health Organization) for contract of Food, Drug for the United Nation of which my head Office is not aware of and will never be aware and which i made a profit of Five Million Five Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand Dollars (USD$5,550.000.00). I have since then PLACED this fund on a SUSPENSE ACCOUNT without a beneficiary.
 
As an officer of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money thus I am compelled to request for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account because my government knows how much i earn monthly and will discharge me from duty if they should notice my dealing with a deposited fund in my branch.
 
I intend to part with 50% of this fund to you while 50% shall be for me. I do need to assure you that there is practically no risk involved in this. Its going to be a bank-to-bank transfer which I only need to back date your name in the file here and make you the depositor of the fund. Before anything you must promise me that I have your Loyalty and assurance that my share will be kept safely upon my arrival in your country. Please maintain confidentiality of this letter for security reason.
 
Update me with your information as stated below,
 
Tel and Fax Number.
Full Name:
Contact Address:
 
All I need from you is to stand as the original depositor of this fund. If you accept this offer, I will appreciate your timely response.
 
With regards,
Dr. Miguel PINTO.
Emeial: miguel-pinto@consultant.com

Anti-fraud resources: