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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. Ben S. Bernanke" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <federalreserve2835@att.net>
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:11:47 -0800
Subject: From Chairman Federal Reserve Bank New York..

ATTN: Beneficiary,
We have received a payment credit instruction from the Federal Government of Nigeria to credit your account with your full Inheritance fund of US$10.3Million from the Nigerian reserve account with our bank.
However, what we required from you is your banking particulars where you want your fund to be transferred.
Your Name................
Your Address...............................
Your Telephone and Fax Number............
Bank Name......................
Bank Address...................................
A/C Number......................
Raouting Number.................................
Be informed that transfer will commence immediately we hear from you with the account information. Once more, Bank Federal reserve Board will not hesitate to credit your account within 24hours in accordance with Fund release order regulations.
Your Immediate Response is Highly needed to enable us commence for the transfer.
Thanks for banking with Federal Reserve Bank while we looking forward to serving you better.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Ben S. Bernanke
Chairman Federal Reserve Bank New York.

Anti-fraud resources: