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

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Charles Christian" <mrcharles1@walla.com>
Reply-To: mr_charles1@walla.com
Date: Sat, 01 Jul 2006 05:24:12 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION: SIR/MADAM


ATTN: PLS.
My name is Mr. Charles Christian he ad of voucher department of the Federal Ministry of Finance in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We prepare approved payment voucher for foreign contract in my Ministry. I want to transfer US$7,000,000 to your company account or any other account you may wish to use. My plan is to use this money to invest in your country with your assistance as co-investor.
The only information I needed to make this transfer is:
1. YOUR PRIVATE PHONE/FAX NUMBERS
2. A COMPANY NAME AND ADDRESS.
The company name and address will be use to raise the voucher to mean that you executed a contract with the the Federal Government of Nigeria and the money will be transfer to the account you may wish to use as payment for the contract.
No risk is involve in this deal, all arrangement to get approved contract documents to cover the deal has been completed with all security arrangement put in place. This is strickly confidential.
I shall resign my appointment and come to meet you in your country immediatily the money get to your account. Your benefit shall be 30% of the total sum if you agree to give me this assistance.
Awaiting your reply urgently.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Charles Christian

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