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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: MARK SCOTT <mrmarkscott001@live.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2008 17:54:36 +0100
Subject: BARCLAYS BANK LONDON COMPENSATION UNIT IN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED NATION.

mrmarkscott001@live.com
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

BARCLAYS BANK LONDON COMPENSATION UNIT IN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED NATION.

ATTN:Sir/Madam,
http://www.nikiedesign.no/users/portefolio/bilder/front/tobby.php

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family?,You may not understand why this mail came to you. We have been having a meeting for the passed 7 months which ended 2days ago with the former secretary to the UNITED NATIONS. This email is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the world, the UNITED NATIONS have agreed to compensate them with the sum of US$ 9.5m This includes every foriegn contractors that may have not received their contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc. We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you, this have been agreed upon and have been signed. You are advised to contact Mr. Mark Scott of BARCLAYS BANK LONDON, as he is our representative London, contact him immediately for your Cheque/ International Bank Draft of USD$9.5m This funds are in a Bank Draft for security purpose ok? so he will send it to you and you c!
an clear it in any bank of your choice. Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want him to send the Draft to you. Conatct Mr. Mark Scott immediately for your Cheque:
Person to Contact
MR. MARK SCOTT Telephone:+44 7017 40333 Email: mrmarkscott001@live.com

Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your Bank Draft. Making the world a better place

Regards,

Mr. Kofi Anan Former Secretary (UNITED NATIONS).



Anti-fraud resources: