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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" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stocks.lse@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:18:00 +1000
Subject: Waiver initiative 203--108

                              (INTERNATIONAL FUNDS TRANSFER / AUDIT UNIT)  
                                               UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION
                                        (WORLD BANK ASSISTED PROGRAMME)
                                   DIRECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT            
                                            870 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA 20-LONDON.
 
 
Attn:
 
We have concluded plans concerning the release of your fund, but we await the settlement of your final charge to secure the release of your fund. I pleaded to the Board for the waivers of your charge, believing this will enable you to receive your fund before the payment of your charge.
All you need do now is to pick up a Waivers Form, fill it and return same for the 100% waivers of your charge. With Waivers Certificate, your charges will be suspended until you confirm your fund in your bank account or at your door step before the settlement of your charge, Be inform that the waivers form is not free you have to pay, to obtain this form it  will only cost you a little amount, and it can only take 24hours to have your fund release to you without any further delays.
With Waivers certificate, all your charges will be suspended until you confirm your fund before payment of your charge. I want you to hold me responsible should you apply for waivers and you are not granted 100% Waivers on your charge.
This system was newly introduced to assist beneficiaries in receiving their fund. Get back to this office for more details on the waivers of your charge
 
We await your prompt response.
 
Yours Faithfully.
 
MR. BAN KI-MOON
(Secretary)
United Nations

Anti-fraud resources: