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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: "Paula Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <monroe1928@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 13.05.07 +0100
Subject: The Truth About Your Funds.

Attn: My Dear,
 
I am Mrs. Pauline Smith I am a Canadian citizen, 46 years Old. I reside here in Abbotsford, British Columbia. My residential address is as follows. 104-1909 Salton Rd Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, I am one of those who took part in the Common-Wealth free lottery Compensation promo in Nigeria many years ago and they refused to pay me, I paid close to $49,000 USD while in Canada, trying to get my payment all to no avail and they always stopped my funds with one reason or the order.
 
So I decided to travel with my Son to WASHINGTON D.C with all my compensation documents. There, I was directed by the (F B I) Director to contact Mr. Chris Swecker, who is a representative of the ( F B I ) And Assistant Director of the Criminal Division at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I made contact with him Immediately and he explained everything to me went further to help me with my claims.
 
He took me to the paying bank for the claim of my Compensation payment. Right now I am the most happiest woman on earth because I have received my compensation funds of $15, Million Us Dollars Moreover, Mr. Chris Swecker, showed me the full information of those that are yet to receive their payments where I saw your email as one of the  beneficiaries, which is why i am contacting you at this time. Pls note that I felt compelled to contact you because of the pains i was made to go through during those times of unyeilding effort to desperately get my funds. I was naive not knowing the right persons or office to contact.
 
I am sending you this email because you may be reeling in the same situation as I was some times back, and to those innocent people being scammed of their hard earned monies day by day. You really have to stop dealing with these scam artists because in my opinion it is rally what they are. Only interested in milking you dry until you have nothing.
 
Pls, I'd like you to email me back so I can send you complete contact details of Mr Chris Swecker and also advise you on the right way to go. You may not need to go to Washington Dc like i did. Just believe and trust what I have said that the process is completely clean and may not take more than 5 days depending on how quickly you can make contact.
 
Do ensure to email me as soon as possible as I will be very eager to help you through this.
 
My sincere regards to the rest of the family.
 
Thanks and God Bless
Mrs. Pauline Smith
Salton Rd Abbotsford,
British Columbia.
Canada

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