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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: "Mrs Linda Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.lindawilliams@ymail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2011 16:18:01 -0500
Subject: Happy Weekend ... 3RD DEC., 2011.

Dear Funds Beneficiary

I'm Mrs Linda Williams by name, a united nations senior investigation officer. The UN Director has instructed me to investigate on your inheritance contract sum of $2.5 million united states dollars that you were supposed to receive on the 15th of July 2011.

The affiliated paying bank is HSBC London, and from my findings, i was convinced that your wire transfer did not get to you due to the corrupt officer at the paying bank.

In fact, it was revealed that you were frustrated by the top officials of the bank, at the end you gave up, and considered the funds not been REAL.

Am here today to inform you that your funds is 100% legitimate. what you faced was trying to claim your funds from the wrong channel.

You must get back to me immediately by completing the requested information Below:

Full Name:.........
Direct Mobile Number: ....
Residence Address: ...
Age/ sex/ occupation: ..
A copy of your Driver's License

I assure you that your transfer will be done within the next 48 hours once you show maximum co operation with this investigation office.

Thanks!

Mrs Linda Williams
United Nations Investigation Office

Anti-fraud resources: