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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: Edward Andrew <www.inforbeninwu02@gmail.com>
Reply-To: siredandrew@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2023 20:50:10 +0100
Subject: About delivery ATM CARD your overdue payment.

--
ATTN, beneficiary
I'm glad to inform you that your payment valued $2,500,000 USD has
been successfully processed and verified the backup document which i
have with me here but unfortunately the United States Custom border
service & protection charged for IMMUNITY CLEARANCE fee and US
Delivery permits tax of your parcel. According to the commissioner who
I asked about this said it's mandated that the assigned shipment
parcel shall obtain this clearance tax. I have been at the Atlantic
City International Airport, New Jersey for hours now and the deadline
date of my shipment to your address will expire soon so you should pay
this fee as soon as you receive my email to ensure we finalize your
delivery today without another charge or delay.

Currently the Airport authority denied me access to your address as
the Custom said that the US delivery permits and Custom Immunity
Clearance fee of your ATM card will only cost $98.00 dollars and that
is the only thing delaying me here. You are hereby advised to try and
send the fee of $98.00 USD possibly now or in the afternoon to enable
them authorize your shipment and I will proceed to your address
without any further delays. You are therefore request to find a nearby
store to purchase a Steam wallet card, iTunes card, Sephora gift card
or Razor gold card $98.00 USD to send here for the fee. Every
necessary arrangement has been put in place so I urge your maximum
cooperation and understanding towards this so we can get everything
done within today.

Best of Regards,
Mr. Edward Andrew

Anti-fraud resources: