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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: "Anne Shakur" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2010 18:22:16 -0000
Subject: From Mrs. Anne Shakur; Dearest One

>From Mrs. Anne Shakur; Dearest One

Dearest One,

Best compliments of the season. I will like you to read this mail carefully for you to be able to understand the details of my mail and the reason for coming into contact with you. I believe that knowing each other has bound us together with a trust that you will not betray me nor God.

My name is Mrs. Anne Shakur, married to late Mr. Luke Shakur, who worked with an oil company here in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in October 2005. He died after a fatal accident that could have claimed the lives of the entire family. Before his death we were married for twenty years with a child. When my late husband was alive we deposited the sum of USD$8.5 Million (Eight million five hundred thousand US Dollars) with one of good banks here in Cote d'Ivoire. Presently, this money is still in the bank. Recently my Doctor told me that I may not last more than the next three months due to my cancer illness. Though what disturbs me most is my partial stroke. Having known my faith, I decided to donate this fund to charity or better still a God fearing individual that will utilize this money according to my instruction.

I want a good person that will use this fund for orphanage, research centers and widows and for propagation of the word of God. I took this decision knowing that I have a child that will inherit this money but my son cannot carry out this work because he is still a kid. Again i and my late husband decided to leave some amount for our son to help him make a good living. Our son is 17years old now and is growing up here in Africa, He is still a kid and my husband’s relatives are envious of us and I don’t want my family's hard earned money to be misused. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization but they refused and kept the money to themselves.

Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what i have given them. I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner, hence comes the reason for taking this decision. I am not afraid of death for I believe I will be in the kingdom of God. I will want you to help me receive this deposit in your account and distribute it according to the instructions i will give you later.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the new beneficiary of this fund. I want you to always pray for me because the joy of the Lord God is my strength. Whoever that wants to serve God must serve him in truth and spirit. Please always be prayerful all through your life.

Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here.

Remain blessed in the Lord.
Mrs. Anne Shakur

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