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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: "Mr. James Sylvester" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrjamessylvester1@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sun, 26 Jun 2011 07:48:42 -0700
Subject: Re: Your Notice

Attn,

My name is Mr. James Sylvester of the International Monetary Fund investigation unit. We received a letter in our office here in London UK today the 25th of June, 2011 requesting that your unclaimed fund be paid to Janet Williams.

In the said letter of change of beneficiary/ownership, representatives of Janet Williams states that you are dead and as such your Fund/Estate should be paid to her as the next of kin to you.

Because of the elaborate global scam, we decided to contact you for confirmation. If after seven working days, no response is received from you, it will be assumed that you are dead and as such authorization and approval will be granted on behalf of Janet Williams to claim/receive your fund.

Confirm this letter and reconfirm your Information and how you want your fund paid to you without further delay if you are still alive. Send your responce to my email address: mrjamessylvester1@yahoo.co.jp

Below is the information you are expected to re-confirm,

1. Full Name:___________________
2. Address:____________________
3. Nationality:_____Sex___________
4. Age:_____ Date of Birth:__________
5. Occupation:___________________
6. Phone:_______Mobile:_______Fax:_____________
7. State of Origin:_____Country:_____
8. Driver's lincence:________________
9. Copy Of Your Identity:____________

Please feel free to call for clarification regarding this matter: +44 701 116 4684

Thanks,

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. James Sylvester
International Monetary Fund Investigation Unit.
Tel: +44 701 116 4684

Anti-fraud resources: