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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: "Mr Raymond Puto" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <foreignoperations620@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2021 18:28:14 -0700
Subject: Ref.: Transfer Payment Approval Notice.

Ref.: Transfer Payment Approval Notice.

Approved Payment Valued: US$800,000.00.Payment Reference No.: HSBC/LHO-BOE/XXCL3002/20.

We write to inform you officially that we have received and confirmed a transfer authorization instruction from United Nations Funds Investigation Unit in your favor valued at US$800,000.00 (Eight Hundred Thousand US Dollars Only). Please note that this approved long awaited Contract/Inheritance payment Instruction has been verified by our Legal Department through the rightful Authorities for a smooth Credit to your Bank account via Swift Telegraphic Wire Transfer respectively.

As the Chief Financial Officer, Standard MBF BANK (FRANCE) I write to inform you that the above amount is ready to be released to you.Kindly reconfirm your full name, address and telephone number to this email. (foreignoperations620@gmail.com)

Thank you for your anticipated co-operation.

Awaiting your response.

Mr Raymond Puto.
International Correspondent Director

Anti-fraud resources: