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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: "Frank Warren" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <frankwarrena@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 3 May 2013 02:35:12 +0100
Subject: Official Notification

William Thompson & Co.
London WC2A 3LH U.K.
Tel: +44 7014219511 ext 101

THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THE AVAILABILITY OF A DEPOSIT BOX IN YOUR NAME.


I work for Bishop Thompson & Co., a U.K. law firm that arranges asset management and

storage of special valuables for reputable clients.

We have information concerning of the availability of a deposit box with a Vaults Storage

Company which has been listed in your name. A benefactor made you the beneficiary of the

deposit box which contains US25,000,000.00 and instructed clearly that you should only be

notified of its availability after the expiration of the maturity date which has already

elapsed, that is why you are being notified.

More Information can only be provided concerning the deposit box when you get back to us.

Thank you and I remain

Frank Warren
Associate Solicitor
Bishop Thompson & Co.
London WC2A 3LH
United Kingdom

Anti-fraud resources: