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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: "Joseph Mobutu Sese-Seko" <JosephMobutu@netscape.net>
Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2005 05:51:23 +0900
Subject: Joseph Mobutu Sese-Seko

Dear Partner,

I am the son of the late president of Democratic Republic of Zaire,
President
Mobutu Sese Seko, (now The Republic of Congo, under the leadership of
the son of Mr. Laurent Kabila). I presume you are aware there is a
financial dispute between my family (THE MOBUTU) and the present
civilian Government. This is based on what they believe as bad and
corrupt governance on my late father's part. May his soul rest in
perfect peace. As you might have heard how a lot of my father's bank
account in Switzerland and North America has been frozen.
                         
Following the above named reasons, I am soliciting for your humble and
confidential assistance to take custody of twenty Million United States
Dollars (US$20,000,000.00), also to front for me in the areas of
business you desire profitable.
These funds have secretly been deposited into a confidential Security
firm where it can easily be withdrawn or paid to a recommended
beneficiary. The funds will be released to you by the Security firm
based on my recommendations on that note; you will be presented as my
partner who will be fronting for me and my family in any subsequent
ventures.
Myself and my mother have decided to give 18% to you if you are able to
help us claim this consignment. We have also decided to give you any
money spent on phone calls or travelling expenses in the course of this
transaction at the end of the transaction.
Please, I need your entire support and co-operation for the success of
this business ventures, your utmost confidentiality and secrecy is
highly required, due to my family's present predicament.
I sincerely will appreciate your acknowledgment as soon as possible.
I am presently in the refugee camp here in the Netherlands under the
united nations refugee camp in Netherlands and I can be reached on my
direct telephone number +31-630-325-549 for an elaborate discussion.
Please indicate your interest by sending your telephone and fax numbers
or call me at anytime. I sincerely will appreciate your acknowledgement as
soon as possible.
E-mail: josephemobutu@sify.com

Thanks,

Joseph Mobutu Sese-Seko.

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