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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: "Western Union" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <westunionmontrfe@superposta.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 06:50:23 -0700
Subject: hi

Dear Beneficiary

This is to inform you that the federal ministry of finance Benin Republic has started releasing scam victim compensation fund & Flood disasters,
Earthquake mandated by United Nation Organization through our office.

I am contacting you because our agent have sent you the first payment of $5,000 for your compensation funds total amount of $500 000 USD(Five
hundred thousand united state dollar)

We need your urgent response so that we shall release your payment information to you.

Our pleasure to be of your service.

Sincerely,
Dr. Otto Anna
Director Western Union Money
Benin Republic
Phone: +229 99388639

Anti-fraud resources: