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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: ATM PAYMENT DEPARTMENT FINANCIAL BANK <office---offic5535@att.net>
Reply-To: interl.departm2@msn.com
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:24:26 -0800 (PST)
Subject: ATM PACKAGE IN WASHINGTON USA.


 

Good Morning,  
 Thank you for your email and we receive the informations you send to us My name is Mr. williams peter.  I am contacting you because am in charge for your outstanding transfer Atm card.    and right now i just receive a call from Usa,  city: washington. and they said that they are from custom office, they are the one holding your Atm package,  that they need you to send us the fee of $39 (US$) today to get you the Usa washington custom  releasement order by today so you have to try all you can to see that the fee is sent today for final releasement by today, as soon as you can send this fee by today i promise that your package will be release in the next 3hours counting from the time we receive the money today, you have to understand that today is the last day so try all you can to see that you send this fee on time today so that your card will be at your door step without any further delay again.
This is to inform you that It has come to the attention of the Treasury department the hindrance on your approval transfer, therefore we do everything we can to guarantee swift release of your funds to your end within 24 working hours either by wire transfer, ATM card. please note that you need to acts on your party by obtain a payment guarantee order with $39 (US$)  here in benin republic send the money via western union or by money gram only with the name of our accountant below:
Sender's Name:-----------
Receiver's Name: Ikechi Nwokedi Enwereuzor
Text Question: Who?
Answer: Ikechi
City/Country: Cotonou Benin Republic.
MTCN:--------------
Amount: $39 (US$)
forward us the payment details, MTCN....and we will perform our obligation of getting the fund to your location upon receiving your order and the fee . Send the money via western union money transfer or by money gram and forward the payment informations to us for easier pick up.  You have to call the delivery agent to confirm that your package is there. AGENT NAME: Paul George. Tele: +1 206-426-6305.  Fax: +1 206-426-6017 by today because he has made today as the last day because he will be going back by tomorrow morning. Please just markit that he will be leaving any time from now . Please note that the custom office there in new york said that you have only today to send the fee so you have to try all you can to see that you do that today and call me or i will call you for the MTCN. and please reconfirm us your home address so that there will be no erro again. Please as soon as you read this email, you have to reply to our office email:
interl.departm2@msn.com
I will be waiting for your reply.
 
Best regards,
Mr. Williams Peter.
Reply to this email : interl.departm2@msn.com

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