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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: "National Diplomats"<information@megamail.pt>
Reply-To: <nationaldiplomatss@megamail.pt>
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 12:53:53 -1200
Subject: From: Diplomat Walter James.

From: Diplomat Walter James
JFK International Airport, USA
Tel: +2127846013
Email:nationaldiplomatss@megamail.pt

Urgent Attention,

I am a Diplomat Walter James. Mandated to deliver your inheritance to you in your country of residence. The funds total US$6.4 Million where package in two box and you were made the beneficiary of these funds by a benefactor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi the newly appointed Governor Central Bank of Nigeria.

I am presently at JFK International Airport here in the United States of America and before I can deliver the package (funds) to you, you have to reconfirm the following information so as to ensure that I am dealing with the right person.

1. Full Name
2. Residential Address
3. Age
4. Occupation
5. Direct Telephone Numbers
6. A Copy of Your Identification.

After verification of the information with what I have on file, I shall contact you so that we can make arrangements on the exact time I will be bringing your package to your residential address. Send the requested information so that we can proceed by calling me on my cell phone: +12127846013 or E-mail me on: nationaldiplomatss@megamail.pt.

Regards

Mr. Walter James
Diplomat
JFK International Airport, New York
Tel: +2127846013

Anti-fraud resources: