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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 about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mike Ato" <mikeato9@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 13:34:28 +0000
Subject: Respond Soonest!

My Valued One

I am Mr. Mike Ato, a Regional Branch Manager, International Commercial Bank,
Ghana, West Africa. I write you this letter in good faith and trust and expected you
to keep it confidential. Also I hoped you will not be embarrassed as why I contacted you.
I have that conviction to contacted you hoping all will be with your full co-operation.

I am in control of the sum of two million, eight hundred and fifty thousand US dollars
($2,850,000),an excess profit made by our regional branch in the last two quarters of
the year, 2004/2005. I have carefully placed the fund in an Escrow Call Deposit Account
and did not declare it to my head office, while accounting for the end of the year fiscal profits.

Can I really trust you to hold this money for me until I arrive your country and pick it up myself
and you deduct 30% of the total money as your remuneration? If you accept my offer you can
contact me immediately. If you do not accept can you forget I contacted you?
Equally, I will need your help in investing the fund in your country.

I want you to get me a good current account in your country where I can move this money.
I will discreetly give you all the information concerning the account so that you can apply to
our Head Office for the transfer of the money to your account.

You shouldn't be afraid, as it will be just a smooth bank-to-bank transfer.
There is practically no danger to your person.
I am hoping for your perfect understanding of my situation and position.

Thanks
Mike
Preferably reply to:mikeato6@hotmail.com


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