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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: "Mr. Dr. Howard Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.howardsmithfundclaim@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2023 17:23:21 +0100
Subject: GRANT PAYMENT CENTER

GRANT PAYMENT CENTER (GPC) GLOBAL BANK HEADQUARTERS, New York U.S.A https://unic.un.org/ YOUR GRANT PAYMENT URGENT, It has been brought to our notice that you have not been paid your long overdue grant payment by the United Nations This is due to some corrupt hoodlums, and some corrupt government officials who try to divert your money into their own private pockets. We have arranged your payment through the International ATM Card Payment Center,this is part of an instruction passed by the United Nations in respect to all over delayed payment. The Payment Center department will send your ATM Card valued sum of ($8.5 Million United States Dollars). which you are to use in accessing your fund in any ATM MACHINE located anywhere in the world, and the maximum withdrawal daily limit is US$15000,00. So kindly contact the Payment Center with the below information, Most importantly you are advised to send your full data to him: You are advised to contact Dr. Howard smith, the compensation unit director officer in possession of your fund with your details by filling out the below forms and sending them to Dr. Howard smith. Full name: Home address: Phone number: Nationality: Present Country: Age/Sex: Occupation: Alternative email: Driver's license: All arrangements have been made to deliver your ATM CARD to your doorstep, through our reliable courier agent. We have three payment method which you can receive your fund and you are to choose the suitable option. Here are the options below: (1) Bank-to-Bank transfer. (2) Debit Card delivery. (3) Consignment Box delivery. Kindly flourish Dr. Howard smith with your details and suitable payment options. Your urgent attention is needed to enable him to proceed with the transaction successfully. Best Regards, Secretary General Antonio Guterres

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