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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: "divine uwaoma" <mrdivineuwaoma@msn.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2005 13:15:26 +0000
Subject: From Divine Tarawally.

From Divine Tarawally.
Abidjan-Cote D'Ivoire.
Dear Friend,

I am Mr. Divine Uwaoma Tarawally from Ivory Coast,23 years of age. I am an
orphan I lost my father a couple of months ago. My father was a serving
director of the Cocoa exporting board until his death . He was assassinated
last year january 2004 by the rebels following the political uprising.

Before his death he had a foreign account here in Côte D'Ivoire up to the
tune of $18m which he told the bank was for the importation of cocoa
processing machine.

I want you to do me a favour to receive this fund to a safe account in your
country or any safer place as the benficiary.

I have plans to do investment in your country, like real estate and
industrial production. This is my reason for writing to you. Please if you
are willing to assist me indicate your interest in replying
soonest.

Thanks and best regards.

Divine Uwaoma Tarawally.


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