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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: mensah kosi <barr.mensahkosi@hotmail.fr>
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2015 08:22:33 +0000
Subject: I wait to hear from you


Dear good friend,

Compliment of the day to you, With All Due Respect. My name is Mr. Kosi Mensah. I am a Barrister in
Lome Togo in West Africa. I am sending this brief letter to solicit your partnership to transfer $8.5 million US Dollars.
I would need your assistance in applying for the next of kin to my Late customer, who died of a kidney failure after years of
struggling with the disease.
.He died without any registered next of kin, I am contacting you because you bear same name with my late client.
On your confirmation of this message and indicating your interest, I will furnish you with more details, An do contact me through my private email (mensahkosi1974@gmail.com)

I urgently hope to get your response as soon as possible.

Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Kosi Mensah

Anti-fraud resources: