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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: "Joseph Simons" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <josephjsimonsftc@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2020 22:50:03 -0000
Subject: Reply back

My name is Joseph J. Simons, the Chairman, Federal Trade Commission.
 
As the economic and catastrophic impact of the Corona Virus pandemic continues to hit hard on individuals and businesses, the Federal Trade Commission has been contracted by the US Treasury and Federal Reserve Board to expedite the release of all outstanding compensation/inheritance/relief funds owed to individuals and small businesses and be sure that all funds are paid to befitting beneficiaries within the shortest possible time.
 
Due to this development, we have been assigned to step into the immediate processing of all outstanding payments to enable all beneficiaries receive their funds as soon as possible. Fortunately, you have been selected alongside a few other beneficiaries to receive a payment of $950,000 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars only).
 
To implement this, you are to get back to me immediately with the below details;
 
(1) Full Names:
(2) Residential Address:
(3) Date of Birth:
(4) Phone/Cell Number:
(5) Occupation:
 
In conclusion, it's my concern to demand your ultimate honesty and cooperation to enable us expedite this transaction. I guarantee that this process would be executed under a legitimate arrangement that would legally protect you from any breach of Law.
 
Get back to me at your earliest convenience.
 
Note: If you received this message in your SPAM/JUNK folder, it is because of the restrictions implemented by your Internet Service Provider and ours. We urge you to treat it genuinely. The information contained in this e-mail is private & confidential and may also be legally privileged.

Anti-fraud resources: