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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: "Paulin Cossi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paulincossi01@mail.mn>
Date: Fri, 3 Sep 2010 21:57:47 +0100
Subject: Attn: Beneficiary

Attn: Beneficiary.
 
It was resolved after the Board meetings by the Foreign Remittance Department to release all outstanding Inheritance/Contract payment waiting for transfer as we began the last fiscal payment of the year. You are to re-confirm the information listed below:
 
 
1. Your Full Name:
 
 
2. Your Complete Mailing Address:
 
 
3. Your Telephone/Fax Number:
 
 
4. Occupation:
 
 
We know that people have channeled your fund to Barclays Bank London, promising to get your fund transfer into your nominated bank account. You are strictly warned to stop further communication to anybody claiming to assist you in this regard.
 
Please you should see this notice as the very last correspondence message sent to you awaits your immediate attention on the matter.
 
Waiting for your urgent reply.
 
Thanks,
Yours in Service.
Mr. Paulin Cossi.
From The Desk of Auditing Section,
Central Bank of West African States,
Cotonou, Benin-Republic.
Bank Website- www.bceao.int
+234 704 0895 414.

Anti-fraud resources: