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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: "Intercontinental Bank Plc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <compensation_department.2011@live.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:15:24 +0100
Subject: YOUR COMPENSATION PAYMENT OF $750.000.00USD

Sir/Madam,
 
 
This is to bring to your notice that the Heads of States of the African Union (AU) in regards to the meeting with the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank respectively have unanimously agreed to compensate scam victims who have genuine outstanding contract/inheritance with any governments of the African Union.
 
All concerned victims are required to contact the Director of Foreign Operations Department of the Intercontinental Bank Plc, Chris L. Alabi (Dr.)  with the below stated information:- full name(s), address and phone number for verification and processing of payment.
 
 
It is pertinent to inform the concerned beneficiaries that there are two (2) approved options of payment namely, Wire Transfer and ATM Visa-Card and beneficiaries are required to indicate choice of payment option in their response.
 
Do not hesitate to ask question(s) where you consider necessary for further clarification.
 
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Ibn Chambas
Secretary, African Union (AU) 
 
DISCLAIMER:  This email contains proprietary information, some or all of which may be legally privileged. It is for the intended recipient only.
If an addressing or transmission error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose, distribute, copy or rely upon this email.
 
 

Anti-fraud resources: