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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: "Postmaster" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <AuditDep@financier.com>
Date: Mon, 23 May 2011 19:20:18 -0700
Subject: Safe Deposit Box

THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NOTICEL:
 
I am Mr. Adebayo Rolland , AudiIting Manager FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK an institution that arranges untraceable asset management and safekeeping of special and valuable packages and baggage in trust for reputable clients that are honest and trustworthy. We wish to inform you of the availability of a safe deposit box with our Security firm for which you have been listed as the beneficiary, a benefactor who is a citizen of your country and whose identity cannot be disclosed because of the Non Disclosure Agreement that was signed with the said benefactor when the safe deposit box was being deposited and made you the beneficiary of a box which contains some amount of money and instructed clearly that you should only be notified of its availability after the expiration of the maturity date and that time has already elapsed, that is why you are being contacted.
 
The Non Disclosure Agreement signed with the benefactor mandates us to fully divulge and disclose the benefactor's identity Two weeks after you, the beneficiary, has confirmed receipt of the funds. The funds in the safe deposit box totals $5.5M (Five million five hundred thousand United States Dollars) and we confirm that these funds are fully free of any liens or encumbrances and are clean, clear and of non-criminal origin and are available in the form of CASH.
 
As soon as the information is confirmed with that provided by your benefactor, you will be notified immediately with instructions necessary for you to arrange and pick up the safe deposit box from our security company. We at FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK want to state clearly that our job will be to monitor the claim, give assistance where necessary and also advice you on behalf of your benefactor.
 
We cannot be directly involved in the claims, you will have to arrange directly with the Security company on the best and safest way for you to pick up your money as soon as possible. Your are therefore required to get back to me with your full contact details for verfification.
The Telephone & Fax numbers are very necessary as they will be forwarded to the Security company staff, and forms faxed to you before the funds would be handed over to you so as to ensure that the package is handed over to the right person.
 
So its mandatory you send your Direct Telephone Number preferably your mobile or Cell Phone number and current shipping address.
 
Congratulations in advance.
 
Thank you and I sincerely remain,
 
Mr. Adebayo Rolland
AUDITING MANAGER
FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC
www.firstcitygroup.com
© 2011
 
 
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.

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