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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: "Gen Dan Emma" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 23:50:57 -0800
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT IS READY THROUGH ONLINE BANKING

Dear beneficiary

This is to notify you that after we met today with The President,
Accountant General of the Federation, Office of the Senate House,
and House of Representatives we came to a conclusion that we have
to pay you the sum of $4.5m as your contract Entitlement.

Note, the payment will come to you via online banking and once you
contact paying bank, Ecobank of Benin, you will open online banking
with them for easy transfer to any bank of your choice.

Below is the banking information.
Contact Person: James Adams
Email: onlineco.b@whitianga.com
Telephone: +229-2103-5912

Contact the Ecobank of Benin with full information immediately to
enable them program your online banking account.

Best regards
Gen. Dan Emma
Office of General Accountant


Anti-fraud resources: