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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: "Mr Mark Johnson" <bankdepartment1999@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:38:50 -0700
Subject: Dear Beneficiary,

Dear Beneficiary,

It is with gladness, i write you this message, to
congratulate you on the successful release of the sum of
$10.5 Million USD to you as your entitlement fund; Credited
to Online Bank ATM Card account that was set up for you In
INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC
Below is your login detail;
Customer ID: 68388620872
Pass Code: f57s49x5a8xx56

The Metropolitan Courier is unable to complete the Delivery
of your ATM Card with the details we received from IMF, so
we require some more information in order to complete this
transfer.

* Your Full Names:________________________
* Contact Address:_____________________
* Message Phone Number:_______________________
* Cell Phone Number:_______________________
* Home Phone Number:_______________________
* Fax Number:_________________________
* Occupation:_______________________
* Marital Status:_______________________ _
* Age:________________________

In order to resolve this problem, Please email us
immediately. As soon as this information is received. Reply
now:

Thank you as we anticipate your prompt response immediately.

Yours Faithfully,
Mr Mark Johnson

Anti-fraud resources: