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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: "Miss Janet" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <janet@firstnationalfinc.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2024 23:01:15 -0700
Subject: Good Day.

Good Day,
 
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Janet Ntombuzo, a computer scientist hailing from South Africa and currently engaged with a financial institution. At 30 years old, I have come across your file, highlighting the concerning issue of your unpaid funds.
 
After thorough examination, it is evident that you have fulfilled all prerequisites, including the necessary fees and certifications, yet your funds remain undelivered. The frustrating truth is that the authorities in charge are untruthful and employ illicit methods to extort further charges from you. Their intentions are clear - to redirect your funds into their personal coffers.
 
I harbor no desire to remain confined to this situation indefinitely. Should you guarantee my safety and offer compensation upon receipt of your funds, I am prepared to facilitate the release of said funds to you. However, to proceed with this transaction, I require a specialized HARD DISK, namely the HD980 GIG. With this tool, I can rectify the corrupted data, nullify the previous iteration, and update your banking information within 24 banking hours. Subsequently, you can confirm the receipt of your funds.
 
I urge you to contact me promptly, providing your preferred telephone/fax numbers for seamless communication. Additionally, please verify your banking details to prevent errors and ensure the accuracy of the transaction.
 
Looking forward to your swift response.
 
Warm regards,
 
Miss Janet Ntombuzo

Anti-fraud resources: