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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: "UNITED NATIONS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <payoffices8@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:14:52 +0100
Subject: READ AND GET BACK TO US

UNITED NATIONS in Affilation with the EUROPEAN UNION. Attention: Sir/Madam, We hereby bring to your notice that your Scam Victim's compensation fund of USD$6000,000.00 loaded in ATM CARD is approved and upgraded in your favor and ready to be delivered to your doorstep by DHL or UPS or FEDEX. Your ATM VISA Card Number is: 5428 0500 1100 4432. Your Secret Pin Number is:2020. So you are hereby advice to forward to this office Director ATM CARD Department, your full Name, telephone number and your correct mailing address where you want him to send the ATM VISA CARD to you. The Person to Contact: Evangelist Dr. Mike Godson. Email: atmcardpincodedepartment@ymail.com Tel: +2348120241748 Making the world a better place Regards, Mr. Ban Ki-moon Secretary-General UNITED NATIONS). http://www.un.org/sg/biography.shtml

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