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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: "UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.ingabrittahlenius49@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 1 Apr 2011 22:06:46 +0100
Subject: From: Mrs.Inga-Britt Ahlenius

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES
 
Internal Audit,Monitoring,Consulting And Investigations Division
 
From: Mrs.Inga-Britt Ahlenius,
 
 
 
Dear Beneficiary,
 
 
 
This is to inform you that I came to Nigeria since Monday 07/02/2011,after series of complain from the FBI and other Security agencies from Asia, Europe, Oceania and Antarctica, South America respectively, against the Federal Government of Nigeria and the rate of scam/fraudulent activities going on in their country.
 
 
 
I have met with President Goodluck Jonathan of Federal Republic of Nigeria who claimed ignorant of the evils perpetrated in his country but promised to compensate you and 5 other fraud victims with US$10.5 million each.
 
 
 
Right now, as directed by the secretary general Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, We are waiving away all your clearance and other VAT fees and authorize the Government of Nigeria to effect the payment of this approved US$10.5 million into your account without any delay.
 
 
 
The only obligatory fee you will pay to confirm your fund in your account is your NOTARIZATION fee to the UN.
 
 
 
Sincerely, you are a lucky person because I have just discovered that some top Nigerian Government Officials are interested in this approved fund and they are working in collaboration with One Mr. John Wheeler from USA to frustrate you and thereafter divert your fund into their personal account.
 
 
 
I have a very limited time to stay here in Nigeria so I would like you to urgently respond to this message so that I can advise you on how best to confirm your fund in your account within the next 72 hours.
 
 
 
Please adhere to my instructions and receive your fund without any more delay, we have a very limited time for this, call me now. Tel: +234 706 502 9647
 
 
 
Sincerely Yours,
 
 
 
Mrs.Inga-Britt Ahlenius
 
United Nations Under-Secretary
 
General For Internal Overseas
 

Anti-fraud resources: