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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: "MICHAEL JOHN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mjanderson079@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 00:46:14 -0700
Subject: Attn: Funds Release Approval Notice!

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Unit on Africa case (filed IIA-8902-F2) regarding seized Fund of Foreign Individuals and Companies 2010-Date.
Attn: Funds Release Approval Notice!
This email is reaching you from the office of Special Agent in Charge(Michael J. Anderson) in Charge of Chicago field office (CFO) USA. This message is to inform you after 8 months of thorough investigations in Nigeria regarding seized funds of foreign Individuals and Companies.Your seized fund calculated at total USD$35,000.000.00 (Thirty-five Million US Dollars) has been retrieved from the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Your funds are now in the allocation Bank of Nigeria in Abuja the capital, and we are contacting you with this confidential information,to enable you to quickly receive your fund with the assistance and presence of our Agents here in Nigeria.
We have been informed by securities that attempts have been made for you to receive your funds, but so far you failed due to dealing with the wrong people officials and excessive demand for fee(s). We are still here in Nigeria to ensure you and every other person(s) involved receives his/her fund this time.
We shall deal directly with the Bank in charge of your payment and you deal directly with us and whatever requirements needed, we will ask you to provide immediately to us, and you will receive direct instructions/information on the necessary Bank procedures to follow from us and no one else please take note no one else!.
NOTE, PLEASE DO NOT PANIC, WE ARE HERE TO HELP AND GUIDE YOU TO RECEIVE YOUR MONEY.
Fill out your personal details on the below plain form. PRINT OR TYPE IN SPECIFIED SPACE.
    PERSONAL INFORMATION
Complete Name: --------------Country of Origin: ---------------
Present Address: ----------Date of Birth: ------------- Sex:-----------
Marital Status: ----------Occupation: ------------- Tel/Mobile:--------
Kindly attach a Valid I.D copy (D/L / Int'l Passport) --------
The attached I.D badge is for Special Agent in charge, Michael J.
Anderson. Distributing or Editing is highly prohibited.
Signed By,
Special Agent in Charge,
Michael J. Anderson,
Criminal Investigations Division,
Crimes & Fraud Unit
CFO(Field office)
Tel:+2349169203519
Tel:+447756356460
Email: michaelanderson@fbi-gov.info
Email: mjanderson079gmail.com
United States of America
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended Solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error, please notify this office quickly.
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the Individual named or addressed. If you are not the named/addressee you Should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify this Office immediately by e-mail if you have received this email by mistake, Delete from your system.
If you are not the intended recipient you are Notified that disclosing,copying, distributing or taking any action in Reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. FBI

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