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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:
 -  "activation fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
 
-  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: SANTANDER BANK HEAD OFFICE <paymentfiles670@gmail.com>Reply-To: santanderbanktransfer550@gmail.com
 Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2023 08:52:52 -0700
 Subject: YOU ADVISED TO CONTACT U.S.A SANTANDER BANK MANAGER TO RECEIVE YOUR
 FUND COMPENSATION
 
 --
 
 
 --
 Attn:Dear Beneficiary
 
 This message is from Santander Bank United States and am Sandra Jean
 Wright the Bank Manager of USA Santander Bank ,  We believed that you
 got our previous email regarding your fund Scam victim compensation
 $3.500.000.00 USD which was deposited from Benin Republic Government
 due to your email and your details appeared on the scam victim list
 while the United Nation and Benin Republic Government is compensating
 all the scam victims and the government has paid all the fee to get
 the funds to you except the bank re-activation fee $50 which must be
 paid before the funds will be transfer/delivered to you.
 
 I know you might not know reason why i am seriously on this issue of
 your funds compensation. It is because that i am going to be transfer
 to one of branch in Germany to complete some works as bank manager of
 the Santander USA,
 
 
 So for that is  why am trying all my best to make sure that all job i
 hold at hand will finish before will left monday next week. And the
 parcel i have at hand now to deliver /transfer to their inheritor
 remain only your fund $3.500.000.00 before i will be transfer like i
 stated above.Therefore i want to help both you with my personal
 ability to make sure that you receive your funds before i will leave
 by monday ,Due to i have no more time on this office, I will be asking
 you to chose the 2 fastest ways to get this compensation to whill will
 below,
 
 1. Sending $3.500.000.00 from our Online bitcoin account to your
 bitcoin wallet account.
 2.By uploading the $3.500.000.00 to ATM visa card and ship to you through DHL.
 
 Finally note that all this ways/process will still cost you $50.00
 only for the activation fee and it will be paid by itune card which
 you need to send immediately. Urgent contact on whats App  below
 +1(814)317-6728
 
 Regards
 USA Santander Consumer Bank manager
 Mrs.Sandra Jean Wright
 :+1(814)317-6728
 
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