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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: "Anderson Webb" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <aaww11110000@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 28 May 2018 17:54:15 +0100
Subject: Attn: Dear Contractor,

Attn: Dear Contractor,

From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the United States Government in 2018, your name was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payments.

I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is US$3,000,000.00.

Please re-confirm to me the below required information to process your claim:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Current home address.
4) Occupation, age and marital status.
5) Scanned copy of int'l passport.

Prior to the above SUBJECT, this bank request you comply accordingly as to make this transaction worthwhile.

Regards,
Mr. Anderson Webb,
Remittance Director,
(BNB Bank)

Anti-fraud resources: