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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: "Antonio Guterres" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.howardsmithfundclaim@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2023 00:45:47 +0100
Subject: [Probably Spam] [Probably Spam] [Probably Spam] [Probably Spam] [Probably Spam] GRANT PAYMENT CENTER

GRANT PAYMENT CENTER
(GPC) GLOBAL BANK
HEADQUARTERS,
New York U.S.A
https://unic.un.org/
 
 
YOUR GRANT PAYMENT URGENT,
 
 
It has been brought to our notice that you have not been paid your
 
long overdue grant payment by the United Nations This is due to some
 
corrupt hoodlums, and some corrupt government officials who try to
 
divert your money into their own private pockets. We have arranged
 
your payment through the International ATM Card Payment Center,this is
 
part of an instruction passed by the United Nations in respect to all
 
over delayed payment.
 
 
The Payment Center department will send your ATM Card valued sum of
 
($8.5 Million United States Dollars). which you are to use in
 
accessing your fund in any ATM MACHINE located anywhere in the world,
 
and the maximum withdrawal daily limit is US$15000,00. So kindly
 
contact the Payment Center with the below information, Most
 
importantly you are advised to send your full data to him:
 
 
You are advised to contact Dr. Howard smith, the compensation unit
 
director officer in possession of your fund with your details by
 
filling out the below forms and sending them to Dr. Howard smith.
 
Full name:
Home address:
Phone number:
Nationality:
Present Country:
Age/Sex:
Occupation:
Alternative email:
Driver's license:
 
 
All arrangements have been made to deliver your ATM CARD to your
 
doorstep, through our reliable courier agent. We have three payment
 
method which you can receive your fund and you are to choose the
 
suitable option. Here are the options below:
 
(1) Bank-to-Bank transfer.
(2) Debit Card delivery.
(3) Consignment Box delivery.
 
Kindly flourish Dr. Howard smith with your details and suitable
 
payment options. Your urgent attention is needed to enable him to
 
proceed with the transaction successfully.
 
Best Regards,
Secretary General
Antonio Guterres

Anti-fraud resources: