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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: "UNITED NATION DEVELOPMENT GRANT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <claim_department04@qq.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 07:51:41 -0400
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT HAS BEEN RELEASED AT LAST!!!

GRANT PAYMENT CENTER
(GPC) GLOBAL BANK
HEADQUARTERS, New York
U.S.A

Attn:Beneficiary

It has been brought to our notice that you have not been paid your long overdue grant payment by the UN. This is due to some corrupt hoodlums, and some corrupt government officials who try to divert your money into their own private pocked. We have arranged your payment through International ATM Card Payment Center,this is part of an instruction passed by the United Nations in respect to all over delayed payment.

The Payment Center department will send your ATM Card valued sum of (US$8M). which you are to use in accessing your fund in any ATM MACHINE located any where in the world, and the maximum withdrawal daily limit is US$15000,00. So kindly contact the Payment Center with the below information, Most importantly you are advised to send your full data to him, which includes:

Full Name:
Current Residential Address:
Direct Phone Number:

All arrangements have been made to deliver your atm card to your door step, through our reliable courier agent.

Thanks for your co-operation.

Best Regards,
DR BELL LORRIS
ATM CONTROLLER UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC

Anti-fraud resources: