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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: "Donald Shen" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 15:58:27 -0600
Subject: Mohammed Raheem Estate

Attn: Sir/Madam

My name is Donald Shen, a legal practitioner based here in Peoples Republic of China and personal attorney to late Mohammed Raheem, an Iraqi Business man that lived here in china, who shall be referred to as my client.

Mohammed Raheem unfortunately lost his life in a terrorist attack in Philippines on the 4th March, 2003 (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/bomb-attack-kills-19-at-airport-in-philippines-599543.html) and left no clear beneficiary as Next of Kin except some vital documents related to the deposit with me.

Particularly, the finance company where the deceased had the said fund valued at US$5,800,000.00 (Five Million Eight Hundred Thousand United Sates Dollars Only) has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin. I am seeking your co -operation to present you as the next of kin to the account. Our sharing ratio shall be 60-40.

If you are interested, you should reply back immediately and as well include your direct phone number so we can discuss more about the transaction.

Regards,
Donald Shen, Esq.

Anti-fraud resources: