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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: "George Cohen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <george_cohen@sify.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 01:36:01 +0100
Subject: NOTIFICATION

Dear:Madam,

PART PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
US$10.5M.

I am Accountant George Cohen,Director, Foreign operations Department.
Investment Security Bank plc,Manchester .

My office monitors and
controls the affairs of all banks and financial
institutions in London concerned with foreign claim
payments.
I am the final signatory to any transfer of huge funds
moving within banks both on the local and
international levels in line with foreign claim
settlement.

I have before my list of funds, which could not be
transferred to some nominated accounts as these
accounts have been identified either as, unclaimed
deposits and over-invoiced sum etc.


I wish to have a deal with you as regards to remit the fund into your account,if you are ready to transact with me,send all your information for further development:
Full name,Residence home address,and contact phone number for easy communication.


As it is my duty to recommend the transfer of these
surplus funds to the Federal Government Treasury and
Reserve Accounts as unclaimed deposits, I have the
opportunity to write you based on the instructions I
received from the Foreign reconciliation dept to
submit the List of payment reports/ expenditures and
audited reports of revenues.

Feel comfortable with me,to strike this laudable business.
I will be waiting for your quick response,towards my business
proposal.

Regards
George Cohen

Anti-fraud resources: