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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: "United States Secret Service" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gen.nsa.kent@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2017 03:39:59 -0500
Subject: Re:Payment Via CITIBANK NY

United States Secret Service
245 Murray Drive,
Building 410,
Washington, DC 20223
Website: www.secretservice.gov
 
 
 
NOTICE: PLEASE MOVE MESSAGE TO IN-BOX IF found IN JUNK TO ENABLE YOU COMPLETE THE TRANSFER!
 
 
 
Attn: Beneficiary
 
 
 
My name is Randolph D. "Tex" Alles (New Director, United States Secret Service). President Donald Trump has appointed me (Randolph D. "Tex" Alles) as the 25th Director of the United States Secret Service on April 25, 2017. However, acting in my capacity as the Director of the United States Secret Service, I am pleased to inform you that full clearance has been granted for the release of the full payment of your approved nominee beneficial payment valued at the sum of $6,500,000.00.
 
 
Please take note that your payment has been approved and authorized for immediate release and transfer into your bank account via the CITIBANK N.A. For your confirmation, we have authorized the CITIBANK N.A. to deduct all supposed fee associated with the fund transfer from the Principal value of the $6,500,000.00 before transferring the balance to your designated bank account via SWIFT telegraphic wire transfer. Please take note that this deduction will be made possible through processing of a "Waiver Clearance Certificate" for a fee of $125.00 ONLY. Hence, you are advised to transfer/remit the $125.00 via Moneygram or Western Union to our official designee (MARK FOSTER) with the information below:
 
 
Receiver: Mark Foster
Pay-out Location:Othello,WA.USA
Amount: $125.00
 
 
 
Please ensure that you confirm the details of your receiving bank account for the $6,500,000.00, as well as your personal details via email as soon as you have receive this message.
 
 
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Randolph D. "Tex" Alles
Director, United States Secret Service

Anti-fraud resources: