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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Fred Uche Smith" <drfred@freduchesmith.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2005 08:10:51 +0000
Subject: PLEASE REPLY ME BACK.

FROM THE DESK OF DR FRED SMITH.
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING SECTION.
FIRST BANK NIGERIA (P.L.C).
LAGOS NIGERIA IN WEST AFRICA.
TEL/FAX : 234-1-4757533.


Dear:Sir/Madam,

(TOP SECRET).

I AM.DR FRED.the director in charge of auditing and accounting section of
FIRST BANK NIGERIA (P.L.C) In West Africa. with due respect and regard.
I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very
beneficial to both of us atthe end of the transaction .


During our investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on
October 31st 1999 in a plane crash and the fund has been dormant in his
account with this Bank without any claim of the fund in our custody either
from his family or relation before our discovery to this
development.

The said amount was U.S $9.5M (nine million five hundred thousand United
States dollars).


As it may interest you to know, I got your impressiveinformation through the
Nigerian chamber of commerce on foreign business relations here in Nigeria.


Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the
bonafide next of kin to the deceased, get the required approval and transfer
this money to a foreign account has been put in place and directives and
needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your
interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your self to this
great business opportunity.

In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this
country as a civil servant(A Banker),we are not allowed to operate a foreign
account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of
transfer because I work in this bank.


This is the actual reason why it will require a second party orfellow who
will forward claims as the next of kin with affidavit of trust of oath to
the Bank and also present a foreign account where he / she will need the
money to be re-transferred into his/her request as it may be
after due verification and clarification by the correspondent branch of the
bank where the whole money will be remitted to your owndesignation bank
account.


I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free.
On smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the
total sum as gratification, while 5% will be set aside to take care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills, while 65% will be for me and my partners.

Please, you have been adviced to keep "top secret" as I am still in service
and intend to retire from service after we conclude this deal with you.


I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm
the money in your account and ask me to come down to your country for
subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated
and further investment, either in your country or any country you advice us
to invest in. All other necessary vital information will be sent to you
when I hear from you.


I look forward to receive your immediate response through this e-mail.
Yours faithfully,


DR FRED SMITH.


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