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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: "U.S. AMBASSADOR" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stan@soborka.net>
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2021 17:01:37 +0100
Subject: Please Read Carefully.

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH AFRICA
OFFICE OF THE U.S AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA

Attention: Beneficiary,

I wish to inform you that I shall be coming to your country for an official meeting on Wednesday 4th August 2021 and I will be bringing your Atm Master Card along with me which contains US$850,000.00. As an Ambassador to SOUTH AFRICA, I have been mandated by my Government to ensure that your Atm Card gets to you without any more delay as our new Government promised to help the world during this difficult time of Covid 19.

I am convinced 100% that you have had bitter experiences with various scam officials claiming to be high government workers and thereby defrauding you of your 'hard-earned money'. The activities of these scam has changed your perspective about conducting business on the internet, and you now believed there is no genuine business that can be conducted on the internet. The internet was created by Americans for the purpose of creating awareness for products/services and conducting genuine business with ease. I am fully committed to deliver the "Atm Master Card" to you at your door step within 72hours in order to prove to you that the Government of USA cares about the well being of the world at large.

As a US Ambassador, I am making every effort to ensure that no citizen of the United States and other part of the world is cheated by anyone. Therefore I need your utmost co-operation and understanding to actualize this dream.

Frankly speaking, I understand that anyone in your shoes will feel betrayed because of what you have gone through and the delays you had experienced in receiving your Atm card, but I still want you to show me your trust by giving me the benefit of doubt on this delivery arrangement. My identity and personality is verifiable, and I promise to deliver the parcel to you safely without any hitch. Your Atm Master Card worth US$850,000.00 MUST BE REGISTERED AS AN AMBASSADORIAL PACKAGE as planned. Do not allow this arrangement to die off because of US$300 for the registration fee of your Atm Master Card. I mean well for you and I believe you will appreciate me more when you finally receive your Atm Card upon my arrival with the package in your country.

I expect to hear from you immediately as to enable me advise you on how to send the US$300 for the registration of your package. It is also important that you kindly furnish me with the followings:

1. A copy of your either Passport or ID
2. Your address
3. Your telephone number

Bear in mind that once you pay the registration fee of your package, I will then update you on my arrival plans in your country. I hope you will understand and follow my instructions to enable me serve you better.

Regards
Ambassador JOHN GROARKE
US AMBASSADOR TO THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Email: stan@soborka.net

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