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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: "Desmond Class" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <yconnect@kimo.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 02:46:22 +1000
Subject: RE:Your unclaimed Parcel No: 72-66

Heathrow  Couriers UK Ltd
Argonaut House, Galleymead Road,
Colnbrook, Berkshire, SL3 0EN
Telephone: +44 7045716282
Fax:+44 8709 743597
 
 
This is to inform you that there is a parcel that was brought to our London office for delivery to you from the HSBC London.
Upon inspection, we discovered that it contains an Automated Teller Machine Master Card in your name.
 
 
It is pertinent to note also that the depositor did not pay the delivery fees on your behalf. Please let us know what to do.
If we fail to hear from you within the next 7 working days from the date of the delivery of this notification, we shall have no recourse than to send it back to the bank.
 
 
We look forward to your response.
 
Yours sincerely,
Desmond Class
Head of Operations
Heathrow Couriers UK Ltd
 

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