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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: "wema bank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wjohn.wemabank@rediffmail.com>
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 00:04:35 -0700
Subject: YOUR COMPENSATION HAS BEEN AUTHORISED

FROM THE DESK OF MR WILLIAM JOHN
MANAGER WEMA BANK NIGERIA PLC
WEMA TOWERS
54 MARINA ,LAGOS-NIGERIA
TEL: +234-706-260-6229
 
Dear Friend,
 
How are you today.
 
I hope my message will reach you in good health.
 
I write to inform you that I was directed by your former Business Partner MR PETER ANTHONY to release to you an International Certified Cashier's Bank Cheque Valued US$1.5 Million United States Dollars as a Compensation of a business he would have finalize with you but latter concluded with another partner due to the urgency of the transaction as at that time.
 
MR PETER ANTHONY is right now in Frakfurt Germany doing investment and instructed me to release and forward to you an International Certified Cashier's Bank Cheque worth US$1,500,000.00 (One Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ) as a compensation.
 
He instructed me to make sure you receive this cheque without delay to enable you be happy and take care of yourself,family and business.
Iam the Account Officer to MR PETER ANTHONY in the Wema Bank Nigeria PLC.
 
I decided to contact you first,before I issue and stamp your Certified Bank Cheque.
 
You are therefore advised to forward  to me your Full Names,Contact Address and Telephone Number for issuing and despatching of your International  Cashier's Certified Bank Cheque to you through Courier delivery service.
 
Your  International Certified Cashier's Bank Cheque Valued US$1.5 Million United States Dollars will be issued in your favour and delivered to you once I hear from you.
 
Await your immediate response.
 
My best regard,
 
MR  WILLIAM JOHN
 
MANAGER WEMA BANK NIGERIA PLC
TEL: +234-706-260-6229
 
 
 

Anti-fraud resources: