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.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
"clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
"clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Jamie H Andrew" (may be fake) Reply-To: <district_central4@email.bg> Date: Sat, 5 Sep 2009 01:13:49 -0700 Subject: REF: - INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT
New Page 1
BARCLAYS BANK
PLC. CLAPHAM JUNCTION BRANCH,
7 ST JOHNS
HILL, SW 11 1 TN, LONDON
WWW.barclaysbank.co.uk Attention: Beneficiary
REF:
- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT
This is to
notify you about the statue of your fund right now in my desk. After due vetting
and evaluation of your Inheritance file which The Ministry of Finance
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Forwarded and contracted us to see to your
immediate payment.
From our findings you have
been going through hard ways by paying allot of charges to see to the release of
your fund ($1,000, 000, 00) which has been delayed.
We advice that you stop
further communication with any correspondence from Nigeria.
You don't have to pay any charges to receive your Inheritance fund anymore as
you have met up with the whole requirements, your representatives in Nigeria
will tell you to still go ahead with them but on your own risk.
The only thing required
from you is to obtain Non-Resident Clearance Certificate/Receipt which you are
to procured from British Immigration service here in London.
The Government of Nigeria
has paid us for handling/processing of your payment with other customers.
We will help you to see
that you obtain the Certificate so that our bank will effect immediate transfer
of your inheritance sum ($1,000, 000, 00) in to your designated bank account.
If you follow up our
directives your fund will reflect in your account within five working Bank days
from the day you obtain this Certificate. Do not go through anybody again but
through this Bank if you really want your fund to be release to you
without delay. Please respond to my private email below,
