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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. James Shuster" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jameshuster@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2018 02:16:54 -0800
Subject: RE:CONFIRM THIS AS A MATTER OF URGENCY

Dear,
 
 
We had this UN Diplomat by name Steve who we have apprehended and intercepted a Trunk Box on his arrival yesterday and he made us to understand that you own this trunk box and he is heading to deliver this trunk to your location and our aim writing this letter is to confirm if you are aware of the delivery of the box to you.
 
Kindly affirm that you are aware of the delivery of the trunk so that he can be allowed to do so.
 
Endeavor to send your complete details in your response to this mail as follows;
 
Full Name:
Address:
Phone:
 
Await your immediate response.
 
JAMES SHUSTER
Field Director
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Address: Queens, NY 11430, USA.
 

Anti-fraud resources: