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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: "John O. Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jw626521@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2023 00:49:46 -0800
Subject: ARE YOU DEAD OR ALIVE ??????????? REPLY NOW

Dear Beneficiary,

My Name is John O. Williams, I am in charge of all unpaid
Inheritance/Contract fund which all process of payment in your favor is in
progress. A power of attorney was forwarded to my office this morning by
your local associates and a Foreign partner Mr. ALBERT HILL to claim your
fund.

This gentleman claimed to be the representative of your company, and this
power of attorney stated that you have died, they brought a picture of your
burial and an account to replace your information and claimed your fund
which it is right now lying DORMANT and UNCLAIMED, below is the new account
they have submitted:

BANK.-BPI BANK
QUEZON AVE. DELTA BRANCH
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES
ACCOUNT NO. 2984-0008-66
SWIFT CODE. BOPIPHMM

Be further informed that this power of attorney also stated that you
suffered and died of a throat cancer/COVID-19 . he also brought your burial
pictures in confirmation that you are dead. You are therefore given 48 hrs
to confirm the truth in this information if you are still alive .

As soon as we hear from you and confirm, we shall proceed with all
arrangements for prompt payment.

You are advised to reconfirm the following information:

Full Name:
Full Address:
Amount in question:
Telephone Number :

You are advised to stop all communication with any office here and abroad
for prompt payment. We are working to serve you better.

I await your urgent response.

Sincerely,

John O. Williams.

Anti-fraud resources: