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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: "U.S Department of State" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paulsteedman4@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2017 10:23:09 -0500
Subject: Your Outstanding Compensation Payment.

U.S Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520.
 
 
 
Your ATM Visa Card Will Be Shipped Through USPS To Your Address I am Mr Roland de Marcellus, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Finance & Development (BUREAU OF ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS).. This is to inform you officially that after our investigations with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other Security Agencies in the Country for the year 2017, we discovered that you have not received your funds.
 
 
I have made it my first point of call since taking office to settle all Outstanding Payments accrued to Individuals or Corporations with respect to local and overseas contract payment, Debt Rescheduling and Outstanding Compensation payment.
 
This is to make sure all Outstanding payments are settled before the end of the year 2017. On Behalf of the entire staff of the U.S. Department of State and the United Nations in collaboration with World Bank, we apologize for the delay of your payment and all the inconveniences you encountered while pursuing this payment. However, from the records of outstanding beneficiaries due for payment with the U.S Secretary of State, your name was discovered as next on the list of beneficiaries who has not yet received their payments.
 
 
Note that from the record in my file, your outstanding contract payment is $2,850,000.00 USD (Two Million, Eight Hundred And Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) loaded in an ATM Visa Card that allows you to make a daily maximum withdrawal limit of $5,000 Five Thousand Dollars). I have your file here in my office and it says that you are yet to receive your funds valued at $2,850,000.00 USD (Two Million, Eight Hundred And Fifty Thousand United States Dollars). This Funds will now be delivered to your designated address or your preferred payment option.
 
 
We have perfected all modules on how to deliver your ATM to your house without any problem, but be aware that the United Nations and the United States Government has only authorised my office to release the Sum of $2,850,000.00 USD to you as true beneficiary of the Funds.
 
 
Note that your loaded ATM Visa Card will be mailed to you through Priority Mail Express (USPS) to your designated address immediately you admit full compliance to this email. Due to my busy schedules you are advised to kindly get in contact with our correspondent Mr Paul Steedman with the below details enclosed to help ensure safe mailing of your ATM Visa Card:
 
Your Full Name:
Your Contact House Address:
Name of City of Residence:
Country of Residence:
Direct Mobile Telephone Number:
ID Card, DL or Passport Copy:
Age and Occupation:
 
Contact Mr Paul Steedman immediately by emailing the address below:
 
Name:            Mr Paul Steedman
Email:           paulsteedman4@yahoo.com
Telephone:       (509) 955-1619
 
 
He is obliged to treat your case with utmost urgency as soon as you contact him and fill out your correct details including all reachable phone numbers for him to get in touch with you via phone and email.
 
 
 
NOTE: Every documentation proof for your funds have been packaged and sealed to be mailed together with your Visa Card to your address. Therefore, the only obligation required of you by the laws of the Government of United States and the financial Monetary Policy of the Supreme Court, states that; you as a beneficiary must officially obtain the irrevocable LEGAL STAY OF PROCEED from the Supreme Court of USA, as a means to justify the legitimacy, transparency and clean bill of funds from USA so that by the time your funds gets to you, no authority will question the funds as it has been legally certified free from all financial Malpractices and facets. The LEGAL STAY OF PROCEED is valued at a cost of just ( $420) The fee payment can be made through Western union or Money Gram Money Transfer here in the USA.
 
 
As soon as the above mentioned $420 is received, The LEGAL STAY OF PROCEED will be secured on your behalf immediately. I need all the compliance that I can get from you to ensure we get this project accomplished. Personally, I am very sorry for the delay you have gone through in the past years.
 
Also note that failure to properly apply for the funds payment will nullify your chances of receiving your unclaimed funds and your funds will be diverted into the U.S  government treasury.
 
Thanks for your cooperation as your quick response to this email notice with adherence to the above instructions is highly anticipated.
 
Yours Sincerely,
Mr Roland de Marcellus.
 
 

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