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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: "Mr. Richard Gil Ker" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gil.kerlikowske1000@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2017 03:12:37 -0500
Subject: YOUR UNDELIVERED PACKAGE

*CBP Headquarters*
*Office of Public Affairs*
*1300 Pennsylvania Ave.**, N.W*

*The U.S. Customs and Border Protection of national security and economic prosperity.*

*We are writing you in regards to a Package in our custody. Mr. Jerry A. Benson, a Diplomats from Global Agent Service was stopped at the border in possession of the above mention metal box destine to your name and address. *

*He could not produce all necessary clearance papers which made us to put your Package on hold until we receive the Home Land Clearance Certificate from Benin Republic customs as required. You are hereby giving a grace of 96hours,to provide the Clearance Certificate, order wise your Package will be confiscate and send back to UN Office.*

*The clearance **document is very necessary to unable us verify, after which your Package will be release to you* to avoid necessary delay, we will advise that you re-confirm your full name, postal address and contact information for faster and smooth communications.*

Yours Faithfully,
R. Gil Kerlikowske

Anti-fraud resources: