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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: "Mr. Anthony" <smithcokid@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: officemoney.transfer@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:25:25 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Good Day,


 ATTENTION
Good Day,
We have sent you $5,000 USD already through western union, as we were
mandated to transfer you the total sum of $500,000 USD through Western Union
by the Benin Republic, (Benin).
Please provide Mr. Anthony Clarence with the following details listed below
Your Full Names:
Address:
Phone number:
to start Processing your first payment of $5,000 USD.
Note: We keep sending you this e-mail, because your funds is still on our
system waiting for claims.
You can reach our international agent for further details with the
information's as stated below.
===========================
Transaction Director.
Mr. Anthony Clarence
E-mail: officemoney.transfer@yahoo.com
+22968168193
===========================
As soon as these details are received and verified, the funds will be
transferred to you.
Thanks and God Bless,
Mrs. Maria Crespo
Organization Dept
Western Union Group. BENIN, REPUBLIC.
Copyright © 2012 Western Union Group.

Anti-fraud resources: