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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: "Facebook" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fbclaimsdept021@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2018 11:45:36 -0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS FROM FACEBOOK TEAM

Facebook Loyalty Reward Promotion!!!
From The Desk Of The President.
International Promotions / Prize Award.
Category : 2nd
Ref: BML / B528 / 11US.

Dear Winner,

The Entire Facebook team are very happy to inform you that your name appear on the FACEBOOK ONLINE INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY and we are giving out the total sum of US$650,000.00 (SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS) which is what you have just won.

This promotional program takes place every year and this years online draws was conducted at the Facebook headquarters in California. Your Facebook account was picked randomly by the CEO himself and your winnings reference number is BML/ B528 / 11US. For more info as regards your claims, contact agent Thomas Charlse of the claims department via this e-mail address (fbagent.charlse@usa.com) with your full name, contact address and phone number.

As soon as he gets your email with the information stated above he will tell you on what next to do as regards the claiming and receiving of your winnings of US$650,000.00.

Thank you and More Congratulations.

Announcer for Facebook.
(Director of Comm./Public Affairs)
Facebook, Inc.

Anti-fraud resources: