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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: "Betty Herbert" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2012 11:16:55 -0700
Subject: YOUR ACCUMULATED INTEREST PAYMENT BY ATM-VISA CARD

United Nations Office,
United Kingdom.
>From The Desk Of:
Mrs. Betty Herbert,
Debt management Dept,
Tel/Fax +447005931073.

Attn:Sir/Madam,

Re: YOUR ACCUMULATED INTEREST PAYMENT BY ATM-VISA CARD.

Please we are indeed very sorry for delay in receiving your long over-due fund; the reason for the delay is that we have been receiving multiple entries for the release of your contract/inheritance sum. We intentionally stop your payment so as to enable us investigate the reason for the multiple entries for the claim of your fund. From our investigation, some criminal minded people that you have been dealing with in the past tried to divert your fund to their private account.

I have the pleasure to inform you that the United Nations has reviewed and approved for immediate payment of your accumulated interest sum of $4.2 million on your contract/inheritance sum. Based on the newly approved method of payment by the World Bank and IMF, Your $ 4.2 million will be loaded in an ATM VISA CARD. With your ATM VISA CARD, you can make withdrawal from any AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE world-wide

You are advised to contact this office with your information so that we can forward it to the issuing bank.


Thank you and be advised to act as soon as possible to avoid further delay.


Best regards,
Mrs. Betty Herbert,
United Nations Office,
Debt management Dept
Tel/Fax +447005931073

Anti-fraud resources: