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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: "MS. GRACE AKPEN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <un.atmcardclaim.organization@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 12:39:15 +0100
Subject: YOUR ATM VISA CARD IS READY FOR SHIPMENT CONTACT THE ISSUING BANK.

United Nations -UK
3 Whitehall Court,London SW1A 2EL
United Kingdom.
Our Ref: UN/BKL/STB
 
 
 
 
ATM CARD ALERT:
 
 
 
We wish to inform you that your approved compensation payment/fund from United Nations {UN}has been released and ready to be paid to you via ATM CARD which you will use to withdraw your fund from any ATM Machine in any part of the world.But just bear it in mind that you will pay for the insurance, delivery and approval certificate legal cost before your card will be dispatch/ship to your home address. We did not want to take much of your time or ours that is why we are notifying you right away that you are going to pay for the insurance and delivery fee.
 
 
NB: IF YOU CAN NOT PAY FOR THE INSURANCE AND DELIVERY FEE DO NOT BORDER/WORRY TO RESPOND TO THIS MAIL AS THE COURIER COMPANY THAT WILL DELIVER YOUR CARD WILL NOT ACCEPT THE DELIVERY WITHOUT INSURANCE COVERAGE OF YOUR CARD AS YOU KNOW THAT ATM CARD IS AS GOOD AS CASH SO IT MUST BE INSURE.THE UNITED NATIONS AND WORLD BANK ACCEPTED THE IDEA SO YOU ARE ADVISED TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE DIRECTIVES FROM THE ISSUING BANK. CONTACT THE MR. FRANK TO ASCERTAIN THE COST.
 
 
We have mandated the UBA Bank Plc to issue you a certified ATM VISA CARD and PIN# which you will use to withdraw your fund from any ATM machine in any part of the world.You are strongly advised immediately to contact Mr. Frank Eze, Head, Card Operations UBA Bank Plc via his direct e-mail address: cfc_mr.frankeze@hotmail.com  and send him your information such as:
 
 
 
1) Your Full Name...
2) Your Home Address...
3) Your Home Phone, Mobile/Cell Phone Number.
4) Occupation ....
5)Age/Sex........
 
 
Mr. Frank Eze is waiting for your above information's to enable him dispatch your ATM CARD via to you. So make sure you contact him right away with your full information and tell him that you received a message from Ms. Grace Akpen, the ATM CARD ACCOUNT DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR UNITED NATIONS OFFICE,Instructing you to contact him for immediate release of your ATM VISA CARD within 72 hours.
 
 
Thanks for adhering to this instruction and once again accept our congratulations!
 
 
Yours Sincerely,
Ms. Grace Akpen

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