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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: "EDWARD C.CLEFF" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mredwardcleff@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2015 09:24:56 -0800
Subject: WE URGE YOU TO RESPOND ACCORDINGLY//...../

Attention: Beneficiary.
 
Your file appears in my desk two days ago Through World Bank IMF office that you
are among people approved to be paid half of their payment of US$9.7 Million
dollars.
 
I need your bellow information, to confirm with the one we have already here in
our file, if you are the rightful owner  to be paid.
 
Your particulars was mentioned by one of the Syndicates who was arrested as one
of their victims of the operations, you are hereby warned not to communicate or
duplicate this message to him for any reason whatsoever as the U.S. secret
service is already on trace of the other criminals.
 
Did you sign any Deed of Assignment in favor of (TOM BROWN) Thereby making him
the current beneficiary with his following account details?
 
MR TOM BROWN,
AC/NUMBER: 6503809428.
ROUTING/122006743,
B/NAME: CITI BANK,
ADDRESS: NEW YORK, USA,
 
information and your direct contact details as listed below.
Details needed below
Full Name
…………………………………………..
Contact
Address………………………………….
Phone
Number…………………………………….
Occupation…………………………………….
Passport Copy or Driver’s License
Copy………………………………
 
YOURS TRULY
MR EDWARD CAINES CLEFF
DIRECTOR OF PAYMENT/ SPECIAL DUTIES
PHONE : +2348065867736
 
  

Anti-fraud resources: