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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: "MR.LOUIS GOODMAN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bbgood5439@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:01:46 +0100
Subject: Final payment

FROM THE DESK OF: MR.LOUIS GOODMAN DIRECTOR BARCLAYS BANK LONDON UK. DIRECT PHONE:+44-703-195-4050 BANK PHONE:+44-700-580-1043 Attn: Beneficiary I am delighted to inform you that the contract panel, which concluded in London just released your name amongst contractors to benefit from the Diplomatic Payment. This Panel was primarily delegated to investigate manipulated contract claims, contracts and over-invoiced payment as the effect has eaten deep into the economy of our dear country. However, we wish to bring to your notice that your contract profile is still reflecting in our central computer as unpaid contractor while auditing was going on. Your contract file was forwarded to my office by the auditors as unclaimed fund. We wish to use this medium to inform you that for the time being British Government have stopped further payment through bank-to-bank transfer due to contractors numerous petitions to United Nations on wrong payment and diversion of contract funds to different account. In this case, we are going to send your contract part payment of Ten Million United States dollars only to you via diplomatic cash payment. Note that the money will be packaged as a consignment which will be sealed with synthetic nylon and padded with machine. Please you don't have to worry for anything, as the transaction is 100% risk free. The Diplomatic agents will accompany the box to your house address. So all you need to do now, is to send to me your full contact information as requested below. 1. Your full name 2. Full address(street address, city, state, zip code and country) 3. Direct Phone 4. Occupation, age and marital status 5. Copy of drivers license for identification 6. Nearest Airport However, the Diplomatic agents will call you immediately they arrive at the airport in your country airport. Please kindly get back to me with the above requested informations so that we can proceed. Note: The diplomat does not know the original contents of the box. What l declared to them as the contents is Sensitive Photographic Film Materials and jewelries. I did not tell them that it is money, so do not reveal it to them for security reason. If they call you and ask you the contents, please tell them the same thing Ok. Confirm the receipt of this message and send the requirements needed to conclude your consignment delivery to your doorstep. Please respond urgently because the diplomats would be scheduled to leave as soon as we hear from you. PLEASE CALL ME DIRECTLY WITH THIS NUMBER PHONE:+44-703-195-4050 SINCERELY MR.LOUIS GOODMAN DIRECTOR BARCLAYS BANK LONDON UK. DIRECT PHONE:+44-703-195-4050

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