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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: "Wu" <uhch55@gmail.com>
Reply-To: davtuw5244@aim.com
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:59:42 +0330
Subject: Business Enquiry.


Private Email: davtuw5244@aim.com

Hello,

This is to invite you to an investment opportunity involving a lucrative business proposal for a common interest to share with you.

I am Mr. Wu Liang. This is a deal which concerns the transfer of a large sum of money. Everything about this transaction shall be legally done without any problem. Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue.
If you are interested, mail back, through my private Email address, written above,

I shall give you more informations about this proposal, as soon as I receive your positive response.

Kind Regards,

Mr.Wu Liang

Anti-fraud resources: