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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: "Idis" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alhidrisng@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2019 14:08:42 -0700
Subject: Congratulation!

Dear sir/Ma.
       
Congratulation! This is to inform you that your inheritance funds valued USD$10.5M has just been approved among twenty five other foreign beneficiaries and bonded to our affiliate bankers in Europe and MALAYSIA for immediate release hence your email appeared among them. This is due to the strict financial regulations, lots of certifications/transfer back-up documents required in moving funds out of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and most especially United Kingdom-U.K.
 
I want to sound this as a warning to you and other beneficiaries that inheritance fund is officially handled by the office of The Accountant General of the Federation Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Treasury House known to be the (Accountant General) office established under Civil Services re-organization Decree No.43 of 1988 and paragraph 8 edit 4 of 1999 as amended is responsible for the overall management of all receipt and payments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
 
I believe you see reasons why it’s impossible for any other office to affect your payment. Rather, it’s the office of the Accountant General of the Federation Federal to direct both local and foreign inheritance payment.  We have decided to give you this primary information because, it will not be wise enough for you to lose your hard earn money to those smart guys, hackers who are claiming to represent the interest of fund beneficiaries and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
 
Reference to this development, and this has been deliberated upon which is among our set up priorities in our pursuit for change and good governance.  You are therefore advised without wasting to and get back to us with your complete information’s such as your full name and address telephone number as to enable us direct you to the bank in-charge of your payment and who to contact.  We shall also send you the proof of fund letter once you open communication with the bank to enable them expedite action on the transfer process accordingly.
 
Note: keep us posted with every development so as to advise you if need be. Please it is important you follow this directive.
 
Awaiting your prompt reply.
 
Kind regards,
A. Idris

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