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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: "Judiciary of England and Wales" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <livinus08@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 May 2014 07:44:37 -0700
Subject: Mail From Judiciary of England and Wales

The Judiciary of England and Wales,
Royal Courts of Justice,
11th floor, Thomas More Building,
Strand, London WC2A 2LL
 
Dear Friend,
 
Compliments of the day.
 
We hope this email would find you in the best of health and spirits.
 
You are reading an e-mail from JUDICIARY OF ENGLAND AND WALES, UK. On a daily basis, the Judicial Office coordinates and transmits requests for investigative and humanitarian assistance. The preponderance of economic and financial crimes like Advance Fee Fraud, Money Laundering and Terrorist activities all over the world, etc has had severe negative consequences all over the world, including decreased Foreign Direct Investments and tainting of world's national image.
 
The menace of these crimes and the recognition of the magnitude and gravity of the situation led to the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on Friday 21st March, 2014 between British Government, United States Government, United Nations, Australian Government, Canada Government and Nigeria Government at the United Nations Headquarters located at New York City, USA. It was agreed that to retain the good image of Nigeria and the rest of Africa countries, all the scam victims who lost his/her hard earn money to these faceless thieves will be compensated with just US$1,500,000.00 (One Million Five hundred thousands United Stated Dollars only) to avoid sanctioning Nigeria and some Africa Countries.
 
To that effect, we are sending you this e-mail because your contact details were given to us as one of the victims. You will receive your compensation payment through ATM SMART CARD which is the simplest way to transfer huge amount of money to avoid transfer charges or any further delay.
 
I WANT YOU TO READ BELOW CAREFULLY, THE NOTICE BELOW STAND AS CAUTION BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
 
MR. CHARLES WILLIAM ROME presented an Authorization Letter for change of your data that you are dead one month ago. After the investigations however,it was revealed that there are some dubius Banks and Government Officials in Nigeria and the rest of Africa countries who are collaborating with some Foreigners to make these changes illegally without the knowledge of the Bona-fide Benefactors and one traced to your own change is this MR. CHARLES WILLIAM ROME of United States of America, who said you are dead, He have also forwarded his Name and Address below as the new Address that will receive this money.
 
Name: MR. CHARLES WILLIAM ROME
Address: 139 Chelmsford DR Aurora, Ohio 44202, United States
 
But we wanted to confirm if actually this is true and hence decided to write to your email address which from now and there is no response from you, We will then know that you are dead indeed and the Compensation payment of US$1,500,000.00 will be transfer to him.
 
IF PROVED OTHERWISE BY YOU THAT YOU ARE NOT DEAD, PLEASE, FILL THE Claimant Form below and SEND IT TO SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (DR ANYIM PIUS ANYIM) IMMEDIATELY. HE IS THE PROCESSING AND PAYING OFFICER.
 
CLAIMANT FORM:-
1.YOUR FULL NAME
2. GENDER:
3. HOUSE OR OFFICE ADDRESS (P. O. Box not accepted)
4. YOUR PHONE NUMBER(S)
5. COUNTRY:
 
NAME: ATTN: DR ANYIM PIUS ANYIM
E-mail: livinus08@gmail.com
 
Immediately you send the above required information to DR. ANYIM PIUS ANYIM, he will proceed with the Processing/Releasing of your ATM SMART CARD to you within 2-3 working days based on our agreement.
 
PLEASE NOTE: YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY US$125 ONLY TO CHRONOPOST COURIER WHICH IS THE COST OF THE DELIVERY OF YOUR ATM SMART CARD TO YOUR PROVIDED ADDRESS. (YOU SHOULD NOT PAY ANY OTHER MONEY FOR ANY REASON(S) WHATSOEVER). We have signed a contract with CHRONOPOST COURIER Company for the delivery of all the ATM SMART CARD which should expired June 30th, 2014.
 
IMPORTANT: UNDER PENALTY OF LAW, THE INFORMATION YOU SUBMITTED TO DR. ANYIM PIUS ANYIM CORRECTLY IDENTIFY YOU AS THE RECIPIENT OF THIS PAYMENT; NO OTHER LIVING PERSON OR ENTITY IS ENTITLED TO ANY PART OF THIS PAYMENT; IT IS A VIOLATION OF LAW FOR ANY PERSON TO INTENTIONALLY OR KNOWINGLY FILLING FOR DOUBLE CLAIMING OR AID ANOTHER PERSON IN CLAIMING THE SAME FUND, BY MEANS OF FRAUD OR DECEIT. BE WARNED
 
We await your urgent reply.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
The Lord John Thomas of Cwmgiedd,
Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales

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