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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: "western union" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wu_mike@discuz.org>
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:16:08 -0700
Subject: CALL Tel: +2347033228137

I am writing to inform you that we have sent $5000 Usd via western union as we have given the mandate to transfer your payment of the total compensation of $200,000 via western union by the United Nation, Send Your Name, Address, Phone Number. of control please call: +23480535 33904. Processing your first payment of $5000, to collect/ Sender Simeon Chinedu MTCN 7751238546. Regards Mr. Mike Edward Tel: +2347033228137 Email: wu_mike@mail.md

Anti-fraud resources: