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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: "FBI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kennedywatson@fbigo.org>
Date: Sat, 18 Jun 2011 10:08:37 +0800
Subject: ATTENTION FUND BENEFICIARY

ANTI-TERRORIST AND MONETARY CRIMES DIVISION
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
J. EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535-0001
Website: www.fbi.gov
E-mail: kennedywatson@fbigo.org
 
 
ATTENTION FUND BENEFICIARY,
 
 
THIS IS AN OFFICIAL ADVICE FROM THE FBI FOREIGN REMITTANCE/TELEGRAPHIC DEPT., IT HAS COME TO OUR NOTICE THAT THE C.B.N (CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA) HAS RELEASED The paper work of 100,500,000.00 U.S DOLLARS INTO BANK OF AMERICA which was been handled by GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. And your name was included as the BENEFICIARY, BY INHERITANCE MEANS.
 
 
It comes to our notice after several meetings with the UNITED NATION (U.N) over Internet Fraud which have been going on around the globe recently and rendering innocent individual homeless and bankrupt, therefore we have made connections with every NATIONAL GOVERNMENT and we have been successful so far by getting most of the funds released and we are transferring it into the rightful beneficiary accounts.
 
 
Therefore you have to report back to us through email so that we can confirm the paper work of your fund that the bank sent down and process the investigation so that the transfer can be deposited into your designated bank account and you can finally get your inherited fund that was denied of you by some unscrupulous element defrauding you and taking your hard earned money. We will advise that you do not make contact with any individual, firm and company who claim you have won a lottery or you have some fund somewhere because they are all frauds and lies.
 
 
Immediately we receive your response, we will direct you to the bank where your fund is and you will make contact with them and your fund will be transferred into your designated bank account through their ONLINE BANKING SYSTEM (OBS) within 72hrs immediately your form are submitted. You are to note that this should be keep profoundly secret so as to avoid loss of funds by any means.
 
Mr. Kennedy Watson
FBI FOREIGN REMITTANCE/TELEGRAPHIC DEPT
kennedywatson@fbigo.org
206-350-8497
 

Anti-fraud resources: