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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. Michael Andrew" <royeze2@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrmichaelandrew@hotmail.co.uk
Date: Fri, 1 Apr 2011 03:58:15 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: EUROPEAN UNION PAYMENT NOTIFICATION



Dear Sir/Ma,



Following our meeting yesterday with the European Union (EU) in respect of all International Outstanding Inheritance Payment Due to Foreign beneficiaries by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we are glad to inform you that final instruction has been given to our paying bank (Credit Suisse Bank) Zurich,Switzerland, to immediately reconcile all pending transaction within 72 working hours



Please do reconfirm your coordinates including your direct contact telephone numbers to enable us proceed as instructed

Regards,

Mr. Michael Andrew

Payment Coordinator

Debt Reconciliation Committee

Maryleborne, United Kingdom



Anti-fraud resources: