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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: "John Matthews" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info271@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2018 09:31:47 -0500
Subject: VERY URGENT

Attention,

We have been waiting for you to contact us for your International
Certified Bank Draft worth 1,650,000.00 (One Million, Six Hundred and
Fifty Thousand United States Dollars), being compensation fund for 150
scammed victims, but I did not hear from you all this while. I have
deposited the International Certified Bank Draft with Central Courier
service, West Africa.

I traveled out of the country for a 3 Months Course and I will not be back
until completion of my 3 months course. What you have to do now is to
contact the Central Courier Service immediately to know when they will
deliver your parcel to you because of the demurrage date from the day of
deposit.

For your information, I have paid for the delivery Charge, and Clearance
Certificate Fee of the parcel showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant
to sponsor Terrorists attack in your Country. Central Courier Service will
be delivering your International Certified Bank Draft direct to your
address in your country with the sum of $220USD United States Dollars
being Security Keeping Fee of the Courier Company so far. Again, don't be
deceived by anybody to pay any other money except $220USD United states
dollars. I would have paid that but they refused, because they don't know
when you will contact them and in case of demurrage.

You have to contact the Central Courier Service now for the delivery of
your International Certified Bank Draft with this information below:

Contact Agent: chris James
Email Address: info271@yahoo.com

Your full information will be required from you

Request for the tracking number of the parcel to enable you track and know
when it will get to your address. Let me repeat again, try to contact them
immediately you receive this mail to avoid any further delay and remember
to pay the Security Keeping fee of $220 USD united state dollars for their
immediate action. You should also let me know through email as soon as you
receive your parcel.


Respectfully,
John Matthews

Anti-fraud resources: