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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: United Nations
Reply-To: <tw810888@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2023 01:18:20 +0200
Subject: Attention: Sir/Madam,

Attention: Sir/Madam,
 
I am Michael V. Moon and my address is 9797 leawood Blvd apt 1005 Houston Tx 77099 USA. I am the new attorney with United Nations/International Monetary Fund (IMF) and United States Government because the last attorney passed away a few months ago.
 
I am writing to notify you of a pending payment file containing funds of ($12.5 million USD) which is with me for delivery. Please, can you kindly tell me the reason for your delay concerning the delivery?
 
Note: if you fail to contact me within 72 hours as instructed your payment file containing your funds of ($12.5 million USD) shall be cancelled, and your compensation shall be returned back to government reserve account but if you are still ready to receive your payment, then make sure to contact me with the following information’s for processing.
 
Full Name:
Home/Office Address:
Occupation:
Cell/Mobile Phone Numbers:
Nearest Airport:
 
Yours Sincerely,
Michael V. Moon
9797 leawood Blvd apt
1005 Houston Tx 77099 USA
tw810888@gmail.com
Call, Text, WhatsApp (+1) 802 459 1028

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