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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: "Richard Ubah" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <umehsinfo22@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2018 06:00:45 -0700
Subject: Information!

Dear Friend.

A customer of ours who died (13) years ago in Tsunami tragedy in
Indonesia leaving behind an estate/capital (US$20M) in a Bank here
where I work,till date nobody has come forward or put application for
the claim.

During the Bank private search for the late gentle man relatives your
name and email contact was among the findings that matches the same
surname as the deceased who died intestate with no Will or next of
kin. To maintain the level of security required I have intentionally
left out the final details.

Banking regulation/legislation demand that I notify the fiscal
authorities after a statutory time period when dormant accounts of
this type are called in by the monetary regulatory bodies if nobody
applies to claim the funds. I urge you to come forward since I can
provide you with the details needed for you to claim the
estate/capital so that I can be gratify by you ,in this way
$12,000,000.00 for you and $8,000,000.00 for me. I will do all the
crucial part in the Bank to have the claim released to you promptly.

Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning
this issue to affirm your willingness and cooperation please do so by
replying me with your Telephone Number and Your Contact Information.

I do expect your prompt response. Email: richubah53@gmail.com

Thank you,

Richard Ubah

Anti-fraud resources: