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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. George McConnell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <GeorgeMcConnell001@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2023 14:11:38 -0800
Subject: Greetings Beneficiary.

ATTENTION: Beneficiary.
I am writing to inform you that your compensation/winning payment was approved today by the Board and Directors of the United Nation Committee on Rewards and Compensation.

You are hereby required to reconfirm your following details as to enable the financial department to release your funds to you without any delay.

Thus, reconfirm the following:

1. Your full name:
2. Your residential address:
3. Your direct phone number:
4. Your age:

We look forward to your prompt response.

Thank you.

Mr. George McConnell.
Director of Payment,
UN Foreign Office.

Anti-fraud resources: