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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. Newell Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benokeu@indiatimes.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:30:17 +0100
Subject: PROPOSAL FROM HSBC BANK


I apologized for using this medium to reach you for this business transaction of this magnitude.

Through some discreet search from my local chambers of commerce and having obtained your contact from the internet. I contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore can present you as the beneficiary to the Estate, since there is no written will.

Presently in my bank here in the United Kingdom we have an estate, which has remained unclaimed since 2004. And the estate will be converted to UNCLAIMED DEPOSIT and therefore forfeited if nobody comes forward to lay claim to the Deposit before the end of this financial quarter, as is the practice and also Indicated in the European Union banking guidelines.

I wish to notify you of a Deal between You and me to put in claims for
payment with your name as the beneficiary to the total sum of
US$9,500,000.00 (nine million, Five Hundred Thousand) in the intent of the deceased (name now withheld since this is our second letter to you). I contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore can present You as the beneficiary to the inheritance since there are no written will.

The entire document will be processed in your acceptance of this
Deal, we request that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance, your Current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file Necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of this Sum of money in your favor.




Yours sincerely

Mr. Newell Johnson
HSBC BANK PLC.
United Kingdom
Tel:/Fax (44 70111 30195)
(44 70111 30196)

Anti-fraud resources: