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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: "Usman Gambo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gambousman1@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 07:56:59 -0700
Subject: Business proposal From Usman Gambo

Dear Sir
 
My Name is Usman Gambo; Director International Remittance Department of Central Bank Nigeria.
 
I wish to transfer and invest funds in your organization and country on the share ratio of 30% for you and 70 % for me
 
I discovered that my branch in which I am the Chief Auditor had Fifteen Million United State Dollars (15,000.000.00) of which no body/staff is aware of and will never be aware of, I have also PLACED this fund on a safe place without a beneficiary.
 
As the Director I cannot be directly connected to this money thus I am compelled to request for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account. I will compensate you with 30% as gratification while 70% will be for me.  Please if you accept my offer, kindly response to my request as soon as possible.
 
In course of this transaction, there are practically no risk involve because the funds is well secured in a safe country and you need to travel there.
 
Please this is very confidential transaction please.
 
Please let me know if you can be able to handle $15M United States Dollars and go into investment in your country when you finally receive the funds with you?
    
Please I am waiting for your urgent attention so that we can proceed immediately.
    
I await your reply,
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Usman Gambo

Anti-fraud resources: