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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: Maria Ben <taxpaye12@gmail.com>
Reply-To: smithpaul102@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2021 07:37:50 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY

Congratulations

Be inform that We have been authorized by the United Nations Debt
Reconciliation Unit,to release your approved compensation and Award of
US$1,500,000.00.However, for security reasons, your compensation funds
of $1.500,000.00 USD has been loaded in ATM VISA CARD and this will
enable only you to have direct control over your funds. You are advice
to contact our director of ATM CARD Payment Center Smith Paul
and request him to send your ATM CARD to you.

Contact him through the below stated information and forward your
personal details to him.

Contact Person:Smith Paul
Phone Number: +299 61531826
Email address:smithpaul102@hotmail.com

REMEMBER TO SEND HIM YOUR FULL INFORMATION AS REQUIRED BELOW TO AVOID
WRONGFUL DELIVERY,

1. Your Full Name:____
2. Address:____
3. Telephone Numbers:____
4. Country:____

NOTE: that the amount to be paid to you is ($1.5million USD) we expect
your urgent response to this email to enable us monitor the payment
effectively.

Best Regards
Maria Ben

Anti-fraud resources: