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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: MR.EDWARD BURNETT <edward_burnett2000@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:25:38 +0400
Subject: COMPLETE BUILDING NEEDED



DEAR SIR,

I CAME ACROSS YOUR ADDRESS ON THE REALTOR SITE, AM IN NEED OF A HOUSE TO BUY OR INVEST IN GERMANY OR OTHER EUROPE COUNTRY,
A COMPLETE BUILDING FOR MY FAMILY AND I, AND THAT IS WHY I AM TRYING TO USE THIS MEDUIM,

TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE INTERESTED, IF THERE
IS ANY PROPERTY THAT FITS THAT DISCRIPTION,
FOR SALE. JUST GET BACK TO ME AND IF I FEEL THE PRICE IS REASONABLE THEN WILL HAVE DEAL AND,

START THE TRANSACTION IMMEDIATELY THANKS FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED CO-OPERATION............... IAM FROM SOUTH AFRICAN,


BEST REGARD

MR, EDWARD BURNETT

Anti-fraud resources: