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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: "Dr. Scott Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drscottwilliamsunlbranch@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2019 01:24:37 -0800
Subject: Hello !!!

The United Nations, Office UK
3 Whitehall Court, London, Sw1a 2el United Kingdom
Tel: +4408715036515 +4405603053391
 
Hello the beneficiary,
 
This is to notify you that your over due inheritance claim/contract payment which is with a commercial bank here in Europe which we monitor for processing and approval is ready to be released through the commercial bank. Some of these funds are from African Countries which you were trying for years to claim without success.
 
It is pertinent to note that an issue of this magnitude should have commenced with a formal meeting in London to clear doubts as many frauds are all over the internet, but due to the time factor and the urgency this matter requires, please bear with me for making the initial contact through e-mail.
 
Meanwhile, a man with British Passport Number 3028882234 came to our office few days ago with a letter of authority, claiming to be your true representative in this matter.
Here is his information bellow:
Name: Mr. James Jackson
Bank Name: Citi Bank
Address: Arizona, U. S. A
Account number: 6503809008.
 
Please, do reconfirm to this office, as a matter of urgency, whether this man is from you truly, so that this office will not be held responsible for paying this approved fund of { $3.5M} into the nominated Citi Bank Account. If this man is not your true representative, you are requested to fill and return this information for verification purposes, so that your approved claim valued S$3.5M only will be re-approved on your name as the beneficiary of the fund. This fund was as a result of inheritance /contract fund on your behalf as the beneficiary of it.
 
1. Your name--------------------------------
2. Your address -----------------------------
3. Your telephone-----------------------------
4. Age ----------------------------------------
5. Sex-------------------------------- ---------
6. Your occupation ------------------------------
7. Your identification----------------------------
8. Your bank information-----------------------------
 
As soon as we receive the above data, we shall commence with all necessary procedures in other to re-approve this fund on your name as the beneficiary through the office of the Director International Remittance/Foreign Operations of the commercial bank here in Europe who handles all foreign inheritance, contract claims etc. We shall proceed with the payment details to the said Mr. Jackson, if we do not hear from you within the next few working days from today.
 
You are advised also to stop any communications with anybody until you receive your fund to avoid further distractions. Your advice to contact me with the email below (EMAIL: drscottwilliamsunlbranch@gmail.com)
 
Best Regards.
 
Dr. Scott Williams.
Executive Officer (Foreign Paying Dept
(United Nations Office London)

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