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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: "INTERPOL NYC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <youssefghali721@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Jun 2019 08:33:14 +0100
Subject: FINAL NOTIFICATION

Region No. 2 Knickerbockers Station
New York City, New York 10002-0804
USA.
 
The International Criminal Police
Organization, INTERPOL, writes to inform you that Mrs.
Vernon Wallace have been arrested in JFK International
airport with your consignment box of funds, Five Million
Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$5.5M). Base
on interrogation, she was sent by a payment director from
Africa for your delivery. She is in detention right now and
can only be release to finalize your delivery as soon as
investigation is concluded.
 
You are strongly advised to proof the
legitimacy of your funds by sending the award ownership
certificate issued by the Senate president before your funds
will be delivered to you safely. However, should in case you
don't have it,Paul Phillip is the sender of the diplomat
and we advise that you contact him immediately for
assistance.
 
His contact is
 
Name: Mr. Paul Phillip
Email: paulphillip721@hotmail.com
 
Note: You are given seven (7) working
days to forward the certificate for verification purpose and
scrutiny.Thanks for your understanding and co-operation.
 
Dr. Douglas H. King
International Criminal Police
Organization, Interpol
 
 

Anti-fraud resources: