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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: Luke Robertson <dinoselimovic@att.net>
Reply-To: luke4000robertson@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 04:04:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: hi


Dearest
 
Please, I want to introduce myself and this business opportunity to you.My name is Mr.Luke Robertson, a bank accountant,I will need your assistance in this business transaction.I would like you to stand as the next of kin to my deceased client,Mr David Clemetson, who died in a plane crash in January 31st 2000 plane crash.
 
He was a wealthy medical doctor who deposited a huge amount in our bank.He
died without any registered next of kin and as such the funds now have an
open beneficiary mandate. The banking ethics here does not allow such money
to stay more than eleven years,because the money will be recalled to the
bank treasury as unclaimed bill after this period. On your confirmation of this message and indicating your interest, I will furnish you with more details.
Please endeavor to provide me the following in your reply.
 
1.Your Full Name:
2.Your Contact Address:
3.Your Profession:
4.Your Age:
5.Your Phone:


I urgently hope to get your response as soon as possible.
Yours Sincerely,
 
Mr.Luke Robertson

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