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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: "ONLINE BMW USA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nelsonwilliams9@gmx.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2020 21:11:14 -0400
Subject: ONLINE BMW USA

Attention Beneficiary,
 
How are you doing today,
 
Mrs. Linda Rainn sent us a message just now that you have been seriously ill for over 8 month and that we should release your funds worth of $1.5 Million Approved for your database and a BMW 2020 to her that she is your next of kin, should we go ahead and release it to her or not.
 
We are currently at North Las Vegas Nevada  and won't be in a better position to ship your CASHIER CHECK OR ATM VISA DEBIT CARD to you through any of the country's postal service, so we will rather advise that your ( ID )..
 
Your ID:  226UD90
Claim Number:  000886L
 
Kindly Update your details for us to transfer your fund to your nominated account or any payment option of your choice or we should send it to her .
 
1.FULL NAME.__
2.PHONE NO.____
3.ADDRESS.{Residential address only}
4.AGE.__________________
5.SEX.____________________
6.OCCUPATION.__________
 
Upon your response, we would know if you authorise the transfer or not to Mrs. Linda Rainn,However, If we do not get your response within 5 working days, We would process and release the funds into Mrs. Linda Rainn account.
 
Contact Mr. Nelson Williams,
Email ( nelsonwilliams9@gmx.com )
ONLINE BMW USA

Anti-fraud resources: