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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: "UN Secretary General" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jimoviazenithbank97@yahoo.com.cn>
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2011 07:55:05 -0600
Subject: COMPENSATION UNITED NATION!

United Nations Compensation Unit, In Affiliation with World Bank.
 
 
Congratulations Beneficiary,
 
 
We wish to inform you that the UN / WORLD BANK ORGANIZATION facilitated
around-table meetings which just ended some days ago, and it has been agreed
upon that compensation payment of US$300,000,00 should be paid to scammed
individuals whose Name and E-mail have been chosen through an open E-mail
ballot system. Your email was included and that is why we have contacted
you.
 
These also includes every foreign contractors that may have not received
their contract sum and people that have had an unfinished transaction or
international businesses that failed due to Government problems or the other
etc. Also, we have been receiving complains from beneficiaries informing us
that they are yet to receive the payment due scams emanating from Africa as
well.
 
However, it is my pleasure to inform your Bank Draft No:
158545*90*3365*99940333 have been reserved for you which contain your
certified amount. So you are hereby advised to contact our payment
representative in Africa affiliated with ZENITH PAYMENT CENTER with your
payment code: 82509.
 
You are advised to contact Dr. Jim Ovia of our paying center in Africa, as
he is our representative in Africa, contact him immediately for your Cheque/
International Bank Draft of USD$300,000,00. This fund is in a Bank Draft
for security purpose ok? So he will send it to you and you can clear it in
any bank of your choice there in your country.
 
 
You are to contact Dr. Jim Ovia at the address below:
Contact Person: Dr. Jim Ovia
Email: jimoviazenithbank97@yahoo.com.cn
Tell: +234 7087216419.
Fax:  +234 016290479.
 
You are required to contact the above person and furnish him with the
following of your information that will be required to avoid any mistakes:-
 
1. Your Full name:
2. Your Country:
3. Contact Address:
4. Telephone Number:
5. Fax Number:
6. Marital Status:
7. Occupation:
8. Sex:
9. Age:
 
Congratulations, and I look forward to hear from you as soon as you confirm
your payment making the world a better place.
 
 
Regards,
 
Ban Ki-Moon
UN Secretary General
 

Anti-fraud resources: