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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: VENUGO FERGUSON <veneg@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <venugof@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2015 12:51:57 +0000
Subject: HELLO




Greetings,
This is to inform you that we have been mandated to pay yourcontract/inheritance funds of US$3,200,000.00 through this office.We want you to confirm if you want your payment through ATM Master Cardpayment system or through Telex transfer system.Thanks for your co-operation while looking forward to serving you with thebest.Please expedite action as soon as possible for our prompt action.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr.Venugo FergusonPromenade Level, Cabot Place East,Canary Wharf, Port Novo, Benin-Republic.

Anti-fraud resources: