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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: "MR. JOSE ITIHER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <oficeremdept@accountant.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 12:54:42 +0100
Subject: WE ARE VERY SORRY FOR THE DELAY OF YOUR FAMILY FUND.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
Attn:
This is to officially notify you of the new development that after every investigation of your family inheritance we wish to bring to your notice that your fund ($4.4 Million USD) four million Four hundred thousand United States Dollars only has been approved in your name.
 
Please, reconfirm the following data to avoid any error:
 
 
(1) FULL NAMES
 
(2) PRESENT LOCATION
 
(3) OCCUPATION
 
(4) AGE
 
(5) MARITAL STATUS
 
(6) OFFICE ADDRES IF ANY
 
(7) VALID PHONE.FAX NUMBER FOR EASY COMMUNICATION AND A COPY OF ANYTHING THAT CAN BE USED TO ADENTIFY YOU.
 
You are to contact the head of international remittance department Mr. Edmond Wright on (oficeremdept@accountant.com) better still you can reach him on +234-803-748-6911.
Adhere to this instruction to avoid any further delay.
Regards,
Mr. Jose Itiher.
 

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