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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: "MRS. MARY OKORO" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bellscourierservices@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 14:14:03 +0100
Subject: Dear ATM CARD beneficiary

 
Bells Courier Services
9 Muritala Int'l AirPort Road Ikeja
Lagos, Nigeria [[Tel: +2348153046623]
United Kingdom [+447031992307 or+447031960203]
United States [+12025949790]
 
                                                      16th April, 2014
Dear ATM CARD beneficiary
 
 
The management of Bells Courier company wishes to use this ample opportunity to inform you that your ATM VISA CASH CARD valued [One Million United states  Dollars] $1,000,000 was officially handed over to the management of Bells Courier Company by United Bank of Africa management[ UBA] as the official carrier of the Bank to deliver it to you.
According to the management of United Bank for Africa, the $1million deposited into the account linked with the ATM VISA CASH CARD originated from World Bank West Africa Region and Nigeria Government Scam victims compensation scheme which was initiated by World Bank in conjunction with Nigeria government to redeem its image as protest letters from foreign scam victims revealed that they were defrauded by individuals who claimed to be Nigeria government officials.
 
 
As stated above, United Bank for Africa [UBA] being the appointed paying bank handed over officially the ATM VISA CASH CARD  valued the amount mentioned above that each individual victim is approved to be compensated with to Bells management to deliver it to you as earlier stated. Therefore, confirm / submit your deliver address as thus:
[a] Residential or office address where you would want the Card delivered to you.
 
 
[b] Card beneficiary working telephone line for easy communication
[c] Scanned copy of ATM VISA CASH Card beneficiary means of identification to claim the Card with
[e] Nationality, State and nearest local Airport.
 
 
As listed above is the information required from you with the sum of [One hundred and five USD] $105 being the cost of delivery it with Vat and primary insurance included. 
 
 
Note that, you will be directed on how to make this amount available to Bells Courier Service in our subsequent email acknowledging the receipt of your information as immediately your delivery information and cost of delivery is received officially, the ATM VISA CASH CARD will be put on transit and tracking information to monitor the movement of the card with will be provided to you.
 
 
Finally, Bells Courier service management and United Bank for Africa agreement stated that, if you are not forthcoming with the planed delivery of the ATM VISA CASH CARD to access the amount you were compensated with by World Bank and Nigeria government from any part of the World through Visa / Master Card automated teller machine after two working days of receiving this notice that the Card should be returned to the Bank for its management to cancel it as to record the $1million approved to you as a willingly forfeited amount  hence, do not hesitate to respond as expected of you immediately this notice is received by you.
 
 
Yours in service
For, Bells Courier Limited     
Mrs. Mary Okoro
Int'l Logistic manager
 

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