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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: "Barrister Aziz Tan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barr.aziztan2c@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 May 2011 11:33:47 +0800
Subject: Attention....

Dear,

I am Aziz Tan, Attorney at law. A deceased client of mine, that shares the same last name as yours,who lost his life alongside his wife and only child in (Beirut-bound charter jet) plane crash on the Monday, 9 January 2006,
12:12GMT.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4594104.stm Prior to the Death of my Late Client.

I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left by my
client(S$11,300,000.00 Million) is lodged in the bank.

Regards
Barrister Aziz Tan

Anti-fraud resources: