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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:
 -  This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.  
-  The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
 -  "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
 
-  This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams. 
 
Fraud email example:
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From: "Mr. Edwards Ellis" <fgtrekjiuo@gmail.com>Reply-To: mr.edwardsellis@gmail.com
 Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2023 16:51:30 +0100
 Subject: GOOD NEWS
 
 I'm contacting you this morning because the Federal Government of Nigeria
 has approved your payment through office Federal Ministry Of Finance
 Nigeria and The Pay Master General that your fund should be paid to you
 through CASH BOX.that you are to pay for the REST APPROVAL DOCUMENTS OF
 $450 and upon the receipt of the payment fee the documents will be
 processed in your favour to avoid every security scrutiny to your country.
 
 But I told them to wait until I hear from you today so that I will know the
 reason why you rejected such amount of money $10.5M which will change your
 life just because of $450.
 
 I also want your urgent response as soon as you receive this email and
 explain to me the reason why you have abandon your fund currently with the
 treasury department of the Central Bank Of Nigeria.
 And if delayed continue to arise your cash box can be confiscated by the
 Government.
 
 Please my dear I want to help you to receive this fund because it was a big
 shock to me that you have not receive your CASH BOX and every arrangement
 has been putting in place for the safety delivery of your fund which the
 insyruction and code on the box will be communicated with you as soon as
 the relevant approval documents has been procured in your names.
 
 Finally, make sure that you reconfirm your full details.
 
 1) FULL NAMES:
 2) DELIVERY ADDRESS:
 3) PHONE NUMBER
 4) COUNTRY
 5) YOUR ID
 6) AGE/SEX
 
 Mr. Edwards Ellis
 
 
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Anti-fraud resources: