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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: "Rev Dr Steven" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <steveubn@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:10:15 +0100
Subject: BANK INTERVENTION ON YOUR FUND

Good Day,
CALL US UNION BANK INTERVENTION ON YOUR PAYMENT
 
This is to notify all Foreign Funds Transfer Beneficiarys  that the Presidency have embarked on immediate cancellation of all International payment Application from every Government Financial Institution/Offshore payment Bank,due to a lot of people complaining of paying fees and charges before their fund can be released to them.
However, with regard to provision of section 117 degree of the 1999 constitution,all foreign payment fund has been re-approved and assigned to UNION BANK of AFRICA  for immediate released to the beneficiary
The BANK has up hold all payment fund retrieved from various banks to ensure successful payment to the rightful beneficiary who his/her fund has been approved for payment,as the Federal Government in conjunction with the United Nation have put a new law to stop fraudulent act and to those bank that  promise to help you through the back door to receive your fund, by ATM CARD, CASH DELIVERY,CASHIER CHECK which is not possible,you'are warmed to stop further communication with any individual or Bank that may contact you in this regard.
Re-confirm to me the followings
(1) Your full names:
(2) Contact address:
(3) Tel-Fax/cell phone numbers:
(4) Occupation/Position:
(5) Name of company if any:
(6) Age and marital status.
As soon as we receive this information, we shall proceed immediately for your payment
without further delay.
Regards,
Rev Dr Steven
UNION BANK

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