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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 Director"<fbi@usa.com>
Reply-To: <fbiantiterroristlive90@live.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 11:24:49 +0100
Subject: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION(FBI)

Anti-Terrorist and Monitory Crimes Division.
Federal Bureau Of Investigation.
J. Edgar. Hoover Building Washington D.C
 
Attn: Beneficiary,
 
My fellow citizen, we noticed that you are yet to receive your payment from your said internet transactions. Well I want to encourage and inform you as well that you are one step away from your payment.
However fill the information bellow and you will gladly receive your payment.
You are hereby advised to furnish us with the following details to ensure that your payment is secured.
 
Full name ….
Address …
Sex  …..
Marital Status…
Nationality….
Telephone contact…
Details of transaction…
 
Be reassured that on the receipt of the said details, you will receive your payment.
Keep us posted for vital advice.
 
FBI Director
Robert S. Mueller
 
 
 
 

Anti-fraud resources: