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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: "Antonio Ramirez" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rubibhattac@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 07:58:43 -0700
Subject: Transfer of US$2,500,000.00 to your bank account

Ref: UNDP/786-14NG
 
Dear Beneficiary,
 
Re:Transfer of US$2,500,000.00 to your bank account
 
We wish to congratulate and inform you that after thorough review of all unclaimed Inheritance and Lottery funds in conjunction with the Word Bank and the United Nations Auditors report, your payment file has finally been forwarded to us for review and immediate payment of your long delayed funds starting with the transfer of US$2,500,000.00 to your designated bank account.
 
The Audit reports given to us, shows that you have been going through hard times by paying a lot of money to see to the release of your funds, which has been delayed by some dubious officials.
 
We therefore advice that you stop further communication with any correspondence outside this office since you do not have to pay any money or fee to receive your funds as you have met up with the whole funds transfer requirements.
 
Should you follow our directives, your funds US$2,500,000.00 will be credited in your bank account by telegraphic transfer within three (3) working days and copies of the funds transfer release documents will be sent to you and your bankers for confirmation.
 
For the immediate transfer of the US$2,500,000.00 to your bank account, kindly contact the Payment officer Mrs.Grace Olwuole by email the with the below information
 
Name: Mrs.Grace Olwuole
 
Federal Ministry of Finance
Ahmadu Bello Way, Central Business, Abuja, Nigeria
 
E-mail: urgentgrace@gmail.com OR glwuolee@yahoo.co.uk
 
Telephone:+08079554643 Ext,122
 
All correspondences to Mrs.Grace Olwuole, should have the reference number "UNDP/786-14NG" sent along with your CONTACT ADDRESS and TELEPHONE NUMBER to E-mail: urgentgrace@gmail.com OR glwuolee@yahoo.co.uk  for prompt attention.
 
Once again Congratulations.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Antonio Ramirez  (Secretary)
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations House
Plot 617/618, Diplomatic Zone,
Central Area District, Garki,
Abuja, Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources: