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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: "Alex Ugo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alex.ugo1878@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2017 13:39:32 +0100
Subject: THE PRESIDENCY

THE PRESIDENCY FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA TELEX DIRECTOR ON FOREIGN PAYMENT CBN TEL:234-809-660-9827 Our Ref FGN/PRES/1-2/017 From the Desk of:Alex Ugo TELEX DIRECTOR ON FOREIGN PAYMENT CBN. Attn: After the meeting we held yesterday with the presidency based on report we received from United Nations, we received an email from one Mrs. Nancy St.John who told us that she is your next of kin and that you died in a car accident last week. Below is her address 20863 S. 397 RD Hulbert, Ok 74441 we should send your ATM VISA CARD to her. Please confirm to us if the information is right so that we will not make any mistake. As soon as we hear from you we shall send you a scan copy of the ATM VISA CARD and bear it in mind that we are taking care of courier cost which is only $450 and you are to pay the Customs stamp duty fee. This is the First quarter payment of the year and with the agreement we have with United Nations that this year all our contractors will receive their over due payment unless you are a ghost contractor. You should also send us your phone as fax number to enable us call you as soon as we send it. And no account we will deduct any cent from your fund since we are taking care of the courier cost. I wait to hear from you. Alex Ugo

Anti-fraud resources: