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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:
 -  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.  
-  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: Joseph Ben <zainababdullahi2223@gmail.com>Reply-To: officialoffice601@gmail.com
 Date: Sun, 16 Apr 2023 23:05:04 +0100
 Subject: Attention Dear Beneficiary
 
 Attention Dear Beneficiary
 
 In a recent meeting held with the new FBI Director concerning debt
 reconciliation, this is to inform you that we have agreed to release
 your fund worth ($5.8 million) which will come via Global Automatic
 Teller Machine debit master Card as instructed from our headquarter by
 Christopher Wray,Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
 (FBI).
 I will clearly inform you that after the meeting we had with the FBI
 director Mr. Christopher Wray, we have agreed to release your fund
 worth ($5.8 million) via Global Automatic Teller Machine debit master
 Card. Meanwhile all you have to do is to pay file renewal payment fee
 of $50 to enable us reopen your payment files for immediate release of
 your over due payment.
 However, the below information is needed as to enable the profiling of
 your ATM card and its delivery to you:
 
 Full Name:
 Age:
 Occupation:
 Phone Number:
 Address:
 Once we receive this payment, we will proceed the delivery without delay.
 Contact Person: Mr.Joseph Ben
 Thank you.
 Mr. Joseph Ben
 FBI Representative
 Fax:
 
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Anti-fraud resources: