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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: "robert umtata" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <robertumtata1@live.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:26:17 +0200
Subject: hello friend,

 
 
MEMO
 
 
DIRECT FAX NO.: +27 865 105 460
Email: robertumtata1@live.com
 
I write asking for your indulgence in re-profiling funds to the tune of Fifteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars which we want kept safely overseas under your supervision.
 
In other words, we would like you to receive the said funds on our behalf. The Funds were derived over time from a project awarded to a foreign firm by my Department, and presently the actual contract cost have been paid to the original project executors, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount which we have in principle obtained approval to remit overseas.
 
Kindly pardon the use of a medium as informal as this for reaching out to you to make a request of great importance to us. Currently, I work as a Director of Projects at The Department of Minerals & Energy here in Pretoria. I have the authority and approval of my partners involved in this transaction to negotiate a suitable compensation for your participation and Terms of disbusement is subject to negotiation on reciept of your response.
 
This endeavor has a minimal risk factor on your part provided you treat it with the utmost discretion. You are advised to reach me for the time being. While my email is: robertumtata1@live.com
I am available via email to discuss further. I kindly wait to hear from you.
 
 
 
Yours Sincerely,
Robert Umtata
 

Anti-fraud resources: