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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: "Mr. PETER HAMILTON" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:19:59 +0700
Subject: RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT NOW

Offshore Payment Center
PMB 80150, Victoria Island
Email Address.



Attention Beneficiary;


We received a payment instruction yesterday from our Apex Bank to
transfer the sum of US$3.5M to your Nominated Bank account without any
further delay.

Meanwhile, the APEX BANK deposited your file here with us to transfer
the fund direct to your account.

You are here to reconfirm your information's such as,


Your full name…………………………………………………….

Address…………………………………………………………

Phone / Fax number ………………………………………..


And we have two method of payment which you have to decide on the one
you will like us to effect your payment to,


[1] Paying through transfer
[2] Paying through ATM master card

Dear, we will like you to make your choice and response to us within
24 hours so that we can commence on your payment depend the method you
choose.


Regards,
Mr. PETER HAMILTON
OFFSHORE MANAGER.

Anti-fraud resources: