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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: "Mr. Edward Effah" <miltongeor@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2015 16:54:06 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: I have the desire to


Please I am very sorry to contact you through Email; it is because of the urgency required in this project.
 
My name is Edward Effah, Managing Director & CEO Fidelity Bank of Ghana. I got your contact from the Online Data Base, as I was searching for a reputable trusted partner whom I can entrust the total sum of US17, 500,000.00 (Seventeen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) into your account as my Foreign Investment Partner. The money is part of the Profits made by our Bank last year (i.e. 2014). I have since submitted my annual report as the chief Executive officer to the Board of Directors and they has already confirmed my report and did not notice the Excess Profits. I deposited the US17, 500,000.00 (Seventeen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in an Escrow account in our head office without a Beneficiary (Anonymous) to avoid any trace. I cannot be directly connected to this Fund because I'm still working with the Bank. So, I need your help to transfer this money to your Country for you and I to share.
 
I have the desire to invest my own share of the money in any good Business venture over there in your Country. I wish to map out 10% of this money to be shared among Charity Organizations, for the Remaining 90%, you have 45% of this money as my Foreign Partner and 45% will be for me. There is no Risk involved because it will be a Bank-to-Bank transfer or alternatively the Fund will be moved as a Consignment or wire to you as you may wish. All I need from you is to stand as my Foreign Partner. I will present your name as the owner of the money with the help of an Attorney that I know very well. The Intended Transaction will be executed under a legitimate Arrangement that will protect both of us from any breach of the law. I will direct you to the Attorney that represents both of us in the Transaction till the money gets to you for Investment.
 
However, if this Business proposal offends your moral ethics, do accept my Sincere Apology. If on the contrary you wish to achieve this Goal with me, please kindly get back to me with your interest for further Clarifications.
 
Please forward your reply to this email address with your Telephone Number for further details.
 
Thanking you in advance for your anticipated co-operation.
Sincerely,
Mr. Edward Effah,
Managing Director & CEO

Anti-fraud resources: