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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: "Mr. Johnson" <JOHNSON@cronos.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: <mr.h_johnson@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2013 12:22:59 +0100
Subject: Re : Payment Verification

International payment & Local Transfers
Unit United Nation(World Bank Assisted Programme)
Directorate of International payment & Local Transfers
And transfers.ref: wb/nf/un/xx027
 
Re: verification and approval of your payment file.
 
 
Sir,
 
 
From the records of outstanding funds due for immediate payment, your name/particulars was discovered as next on the approved list.
 
I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and from the record in my file, the total sum of US$9.5m have been approved on your behalf for the final quarter of this 2013 fiscal year.
 
For your information, we have assigned the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to handle all related transactions to avoid further complain from beneficiaries about incessant taxes, fees and levies.
 
Kindly re-confirm the following information immediately to facilitate the issuance of an international payment justification order document on your behalf which will be submitted to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the immediate release of your funds:-
 
1) Your full name:
2) Contact address:
3) Nationality:
4) Occupation:
5) Phone, fax and mobile:
6) Gender:
7) Age:
 
As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to your nominated bank account directly from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
 
Your payment approval is made under the auspices of the world bank and we intend to successfully complete your funds transfer. You are therefore strongly advise to stop futher communication with any other bank or institution regarding this matter, for the overall safety of you and your fund.
 
Best regards,
 
Mr. Herbert johnson
Director,
United Nations Organization.
New york,united states

Anti-fraud resources: