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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: Bryan Johnson <bryan_johnson10@msn.com>
Reply-To: <bryanjohnson221@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:06:20 +0000
Subject: WESTERN UNION PAYMENT.



Good Day,


Please be informed that we have concluded arrangement to effect the payment ((USD$250,000.00) Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars through Western Union Money Transfer. But the maximum amount you will be receiving daily starting from tomorrow onward is $5,000.00 until the funds is completely paid out to you.

Now contact Western Union Agent London, Mr. Michael Williams, Tel: +44-702-402-1106. E-mail: (w_u_m_tdirector2005@live.com) Though, Anthony Roberts sent $5,000.00 in your name today. So, contact Mr. Michael Williams and tell him to give you the MTCN, Sender Name, Question/Answer to pick up the $5,000.00.

Please let me know as soon as you received all your funds (USD$250,000.00) Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Bryan Johnson.














































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