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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: Ambassador Susan E Rice {UN} <ingriva@arnet.com.ar>
Reply-To: <officialsm1984@nokiamail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 18:06:37 -0300
Subject: I pray that this mail will meet you in good health.



--
Dear Friend,

I pray that this mail will meet you in good health.

Due to the numerous problem we are facing in sending your compersation
payment $850,000.00 USD through bank transfer and ATM CARD, I meet with
the Westernunion Regional director Johannesburg South Africa and after
explaining to him the problems we have been having in transfering your
money he advised that we use their special transfer service to send you
$6000.USD (twice daily) which is $12,000.USD until your total money is
paid in full. The Special transfer Unit office in Johannesburg South
Africa is the African operations office which operates this service.

I have deposited your cheque with the Westernunion branch here in South
Africa and you are to immediately contact the South Africa WUMT-STU
South Africa Regional office for the details of your payment of the
first US$12,000;$6000.USD each; MTCN,Sender's Name.Question,Answer to
enable you pick your funds today.

Below is their contact information:
Western Union Money Transfer special Transfer Unit( WUMT-STU)
Johannesburg South Africa
Regional Headquarters Office
STU Director: Mr. Mark Scott
E-mail: officialsm1984@nokiamail.com
Tel: +27-74-4007-047

Reconfirm your receiver name and address to them and call Mr. Mark
Scott for immediate attention.

I am happy we have resolved this problem and keep me posted.

Yours sincerely,
Ambassador Susan E Rice {UN}.

Anti-fraud resources: