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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Amber John <f.neuer1967@live.com>
Reply-To: <semevoa@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 10:22:51 +0000
Subject: Greetings Dear


Greetings Dear,

I am very sorry to bother you with this message at this time, please accept my sincere apology.

I am Mr. Amber JOHN, Attorney to late Late Engr. Osman R. Patel, a nationality of India and the former Director of Produits Patroliers (TOTAL BENIN) Oil Company in Cotonou Benin Republic West Coast of Africa, Who died on 25th December 2003 in a plane crash, which you can confirm through the following webpage: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3348109.stm

Three months ago his bank here in Benin, contacted my office with information on the amount of $21.5 million which was discovered in my late boss fixed deposit account.

Currently, they have enlisted my help, in locating his foreign business associate who will be able to come forward for the clearing of the fund from their custody in order to avoid it been paid into the government treasury for lack of beneficiary.

Being the Attorney to the late engineer, I feel comfortable claiming the money for my own but I can’t because I have to be a foreigner who did contract with him. Therefore, I am looking for a neutral foreigner like you whom I will present as the foreign partner who is legible to the claim of the accrued interest of US$21.5 million that is left in the account.

I have already made plans on how best that you will represent the foreign partner in this transaction and the one good thing about this business transaction is that all the necessary documents that will be approved for the smooth payment of this money will pass through my office for final approval, this give us a greater opportunity of getting this money.

I will also like to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free and that you are not at any risk.

The money will be shared as follows at the successful conclusion of this transaction: 25% for yourself as the Contractor, 70% for me as the Initiator, and we will set aside 5% for the transfer expenses.

I hope to give you more detail upon hearing from you.

Yours in business,
Mr. Amber JOHN, Esq.

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