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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: "Mr John Bruce" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barri.franklynjohnsoninfounit@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2019 01:00:38 -0800
Subject: Your confirmation will be appreciated

Citibank of London UK Branch
address: 33 Canada Square,
Canary Wharf, London E14 5LB

Dear beneficiary

This is very urgent.

In our office sometime last month, One Mr. John T. Kehoe of 1200 Fitch Way, Sacramento, CA. 95864 filed an application contrary to your
Pending fund transfer. The above mentioned person visited this Bank yesterday with a power of attorney given in his favor by your good
self, granting him the benefit to process and claim your inheritance of $5,500,000.00(Five Million Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars Only) for personal reasons.

Meanwhile We have asked Mr. John T. Kehoe to come back to the Bank within 72hours to enable us have a personal confirmation from you,
being hitherto the beneficiary.

Our office needs to know:

1. Did you instruct one Mr. John T. Kehoe of 1200 Fitch way, Sacramento, CA. 95864, to claim and receive the payment on your behalf?

2. Did you sign any 'Deed of Assignment' in his favor thereby making him the current beneficiary?

We are sorry to have delayed your instruction in giving out this fund since we must adhere to the procedures of this honorable bank by
making sure this request is verified and confirmed by the beneficiary and his existing attorney.

Your confirmation to the above will be appreciated. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best Regards

Yours sincerely
Mr John Bruce
Citibank of London UK

Anti-fraud resources: