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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: michael stevens <michael_stevens@fsmail.net>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 20:49:00 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: RE:Trust is good step


Hello VICTIMNAME,
I thank you for your response to my mail,this transaction is real and 100%risk free. I would send you an email to brief you on this transaction.
Michael Stevens





========================================
Message Received: Jun 22 2006, 03:05 AM
From: "VICTIM-FULLNAME"
To: "email"
Cc:
Subject: Your email



I apologize for the late reply.
Last year I received an email about an inheritance in Cote d'Ivoire. Even though I paid almost £2500 ($5000) in fees to Barrister Eze, I have not yet received the money.
I don't want to get burnt again.
Can I really trust you?
VICTIMNAME
Harrow, London

Anti-fraud resources: