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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: "OVAN MICHAEL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ovanmichael446@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2020 05:26:12 +0100
Subject: VERY URGENT RESPONSE

 
Attn:Beneficially,
I am happy to inform you that your funds the sum of US$10,500,000.00.
was moved out of London, to the bank of America International Clearing
House New York (BOAICH)
I have sent you several emails notifications which returned back as
failure delivery.
In other not to waste further time I advise you to contact the bank
of America International Clearing House New York with the details
below:
Bank of America International Clearing House (BOAICH)
Accounts officer's Name: Mr. Ovan Michael
E-mail ovanmichael446@gmail.com
You are advised to send the followings to Mr. Ovan Michael, at the (BOAICH):
Your Full Names:_____________
Your Home or office Address:_________
Your Private Telephone Number (Mobile):________
Note you are advised to quote the amount in the specimen
US,$10,500,000.00 and your reference number is: ZX-ICH/2020.
Note also to quote your code when contacting (BOAICH) - ZX-ICH/2020 so
that they would crosscheck and give you audience.
I advise that you should email them when you must have finished
reading this email for clarifications.
I am really hoping that this message will not bounce back as it has
been the case and I look forward to hearing from you as soon as you
finish reading this mail.
I await to hear from you as soon as you finish reading this mail.
Best Regards,
MR.OVAN
 

Anti-fraud resources: