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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Williams Baah Wiredu" (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2003 23:54:20 -0700
Subject: FROM WILLIAM BAAH WIREDU- PLS REPLY ASAP!

Dear Sir/Madam,

You may please browse the link below to get a sense of what I am about
to say. My name is William Baah-Wiredu, only son of the late Hon.
Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu. My father died in September,2008 in a South
African hospital after undergoing surgery. That is the story made for
the public by the government of Ghana.
See:http://allafrica.com/stories/200809260835.html

At the time of his death, he was the Minister of Finance and Economic
Planning, Republic of Ghana . But the truth is that he was a victim of
political power intrigue involving persons in very high places here in
my country and some economic interests in Asia . However that
situation will be discussed another day.

Before he left for South Africa , he called me and my sister being his
only children and informed us of a deposit he made in the care of a
Security Finance Services company in Madrid,Spain. He did this when he
became aware of schemes which he could not fight anyway.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding his death, it will be unwise to go
directly and apply for this particular piece of his estate. He
specifically advised us to look for a trustworthy foreigner that can
assist us receive and hold the funds so as not to raise any undue
interest.

We have therefore decided to appoint you beneficiary and turn over
this amount in your favor so that we can move the funds immediately.
Be assured that there is no risk involved whatsoever as due process
will be followed at all times. The opportunity is now because the
government in which he served is no more in power since January 7,
2009

Please respond to this email so that I can give you more details and
how our various interests can be protected and served. We have decided
to let you keep 25% of the total sum for your efforts. This is
exclusive of the benefits that may accrue from your participation in
the investments in property which we intend to make as soon as the
fund is cleared.

We await your urgent and considered response.

William Wiredu

Anti-fraud resources: