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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "UNION BANK OF NIGERIA"<test@andrevillemont.com>
Reply-To: <bnchmclaw@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2015 09:53:16 +0100
Subject: REMITTANCE OF WITHHELD FUND

UNION BANK OF NIGERIA
Stallion Plaza 36, Marina
P.M.B 2027 Lagos, Nigeria
This is to officially notify you that the Federal Ministry of Finance has approved the sum of $2,750,000 USD for release to you as part of your withheld fund. The Union bank has been authorized to issue an atm card effectively. An atm card number: 5120 8156 1062 5647 worth USD$2,750,000 has been approved by the Union bank board for release.
In view of the payment approval issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) in your favour, we request you fill out the information for immediate courier of your atm card.
1.Full Name:
2.Delivery Address (not postal address):
3:Phone number:
The delivery of your atm card will proceed upon receipt of the required courier information.
You are required to pay the sum of $240 being cost of freight of the atm card to you. This is necessitated because we are not authorized to make deductions from your funds. This is the case only when you cannot come to our office address to pick your ATM card in person. Your atm card will be at your address within 72hrs of receipt of the courier service charge of $240 needed to courier your ATM card to your address.
Please help us to serve you better.
Yours faithfully,
Ogundipe Gbolahan David

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