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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: "Ms. Carman L. Lapointe" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ms-carmanL-lapointe@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 22:09:53 +0100
Subject: Respond Very Urgently Your £15Million GBP Fund

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES
Internal Audit, Monitoring, Consulting
 
Respond Very Urgently,
 
This is to inform you that I came to London yesterday from United State of American, after series of complains from the FBI and other Security agencies from Asia, Europe, Oceania, Antarctica, South America and the United States of America respectively, against the Federal Government of Nigeria and the British Government for the rate of scam activities going on in these two nations. You can go through our website http://www.un.org/sg/senstaff_details.asp?smgID=147
 
 
I have met up with Gordon Brown the British Prime Minister who claimed that he has been trying his best to make sure you receive your Inheritance fund. Right now, as directed by our secretary general Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, We are working in collaborations with the British security agency (Interpol) and has authorize the Government of British to effect the payment of your Inheritance fund which total the sum of (GBP15 Million Pounds) as approved by both the British government and the UN in your favour without any delay.
 
Sincerely, you are a lucky person because I have just discovered that some top British and United State American Government Officials are interested in your fund and they are working in collaboration with One Mr. Richard Graves from USA to frustrate you and thereafter divert your fund into their personal account. I will like you to call me with my number +44-704-579-6111 call as soon as you received this mail.
You can as well send your payment information
(1) Your Valid Direct Tel/ Mobile/Fax Number.
(2) Your Full Name:
(3) Current Resident Address.
(4) Your Private E-mail Address.
(5) Your Occupation:
(6) Your Age and Sex:
(7) Your Nationality:
(8) Driving licence or your passport copy or your working id card:
(9) Your Next of Kin
 
NOTE: You are warned to STOP every communication you have with anyone as regards to your approved fund because all these while, they have not been able to help you to receive your fund so for your best interest, STOP every communication you have with whoever you have been dealing with and work with me so that you will receive your fund within 72 banking hours.
 
 
I have a very limited time to stay in the United Kingdom here so I would like you to urgently respond to this message so that I can advise you on how best to receive your fund within the next 72 hours.
Sincerely yours,
 
Ms. Carman L. Lapointe
United Nations Under-Secretary-
General for Internal Oversight Phone: +44-704-579-6111

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