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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: "Ban Ki-Moon" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jd0571136@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2015 19:10:09 +0700
Subject: Your Payment Code:ST/DPI/829

The United Nations Headquarters, New York
United Nations Compensation Unit,
In Affiliation with World Bank
Our Ref: U.N/WBO/042UK/2014.
 
Congratulations Beneficiary
 
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family? You may not understand why this mail came to you. We have been having a meeting for the past 7 months which just ended few days ago with the secretary to the UNITED NATIONS. This email is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the world, the UNITED NATIONS in Affiliation with  WORLD BANK have agreed to compensate them with the sum of USD$8.5 Million Dollars.
 
This includes every foreign contractors that may have not received their contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc. We found your name in the list of those who are to benefit from these compensation exercise and that is why we are contacting you, this have been agreed upon and have been signed. You are advised to contact Rev John Donald of our paying center in Africa, as he is our representative in Nigeria, contact him immediately for  your Check/ International Bank Draft of USD$8.5 Million Dollars.
 
This fund is in form of a Bank Draft for security purpose ok? So he will send it to you and you can clear it in any bank of your choice. Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number your correct mailing address where you want him to send the Draft to you. Contact Rev John Donald PAYMENT CENTER with your payment Code:ST/DPI/829 immediately for your Check at the given address below:
 
Chief Protocol Officer
Dispatch Unit: Rev John Donald
E-MAIL: jd0571136@gmail.com
TELEPHONE+2348161177873
FAX: +234-1-8969855
 
I apologize on behalf of my organization for any delay you might have encountered in receiving your fund in the past. Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your Bank Draft. Making the world a better place. You are required to contact the above person and furnish him with the following of your information that will be required to avoid any mistakes:-
 
1. Your Full name:
2. Your Country:
3. Contact Address:
4. Telephone Number:
5. Fax Number:
6. Marital Status:
7. Occupation:
8. Sex:
9. Age:
 
We expect your urgent attention to this email to enable us monitor this payment effectively. Most importantly you shall be requested to pay the sum of $90(Only) by REV John Donald as the Delivery fee of your Bank Draft. Once you contact the Office, please request delivery option from him in other to avoid further delay.
 
Congratulations, and I look forward to hear from you as soon as you confirm your payment making the world a better place.
 
Regards,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon
http://www.un.org/sg/
 

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