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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: "United Nations (UNCDF)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <james2provenzano@uni.de>
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:17:51 +0100
Subject: Hello

Dear Sir/Madam,

You have been honorably nominated by the The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in partnership with the World Urban Fund for the position of an International Recipient (IR) in different categories in its International Development scheme.This message is to notify you that you have been selected.

*For more information contact us immediately via the below:

James Provenzano (Officer In Charge)
UNDP, Procurement Support Office
Tel: +44 (70) 240 83 529
e-mail: james2provenzano@uni.de

Sincerely


The United Nations
Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)

Anti-fraud resources: