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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: "Zenith Bank Global International" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zenithglobalworld2234@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2017 08:22:29 -0800
Subject: GET BANK TO THIS BANK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:

Zenith Bank Global International
1017 REFUGE ROAD PICKERINGTON, OHIO 43147
Hot Line : +1-2818197185
 
                                       Attention: Beneficiary,
 
I know this letter will come to you as a surprise, but i want you to read this with maturity. This day, one Mrs. Cynthia Edward, came to my office to inform me that you are DEAD, and before your death, you instructed her to come for the claim of your funds in the tune of US$4.5Million that was long abandoned in your name with Zenith Bank Global International. So here comes the big question.... (:i) Did you authorize Mrs. Cynthia Edward to come for your claim? (ii) Are you truly Dead OR Alive? If (NO) you are hereby adviced as a matter of urgency to reconfirm the details of this message within 24hours, hence your funds shall be wired into her account without any more delay.  Lastly, you are adviced to reconfirm the details of this message and get  back immediately with these information below..
 
1.Full name:......................... ....
2.Direct telephone number:....................
3.Address:.................... ..........
 
4.Your personal identification to enable us confirm you are not dead. This information above must be provided for reconfirmation to Enable us make payment to you, hence, your funds will be remitted/wired into her account as already provided to this management. We wait for your urgent response today. You need to act very fast, because if this bank wait's for your urgent reply within three working days and do not receive any message from you, you will be considered dead, and your funds will be transfered to Mrs. Cynthia Edward. Here is an account provided by Mrs. Cynthia Edward to this bank, are you also the one who asked her to provide this bank account to us?
 
Washington Mutual Bank
2075 S. Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
800 788-7000
Acct. name: Mrs. Cynthia Edward.
Type: Checking
ABA # 322271627
Acct # 1951204345
Amount: US$4.5Million.
 
Furthermore, this bank discovered that you have been dealing with some bad eggs officials whom SCAMMED some money from you without doing the right thing, Be adviced to STOP further communication with them, your fund is now approved for payment, follow the right procedure now. This message demands urgent attention, the bank is waiting to hear from you, do call this direct number. Mobile Direct Hot Line : +1-2818197185
 
Regards,
Dr Jim Ovia.
The Manager
Zenith Bank Global International

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