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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: Official Mail <madet300@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:

--
I wish to inform you that the UNITED NATIONS, SDFCU AND THE WORLD BANK
facilitated around-table meetings which just ended some days ago, and
it has been agreed upon that compensation payment of US$5,910,355.00
to individuals whose Name and E-mail have been chosen through an open
E-mail ballot system.

These also includes every foreign contractors that may have not
received their contract sum and people that have had an unfinished
transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government
problems or the other etc.

However, it is my pleasure to inform you that a Bank Draft No:
9498*9715*3836*9994 have been reserved for you which contains your
certified amount. You are hereby advised to contact our payment
representative with your payment code: 7599157 together with your
details.

Contact: Mr. Justin Steckley.
Email; <redacted@domain.name>

Best Regards,
Mr. McClintock.

Anti-fraud resources: