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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: "Wenyao Zhou" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wenywenyweny01@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Aug 2015 11:47:27 +0200
Subject: RE: WENYAO ZHOU

Dear Friend

I am Mr.Wenyao Zhou Independent Director of Bank of China,I have a business transaction of $23.5M and I shall give you 30% compensation for your assistance in this transaction,Should you be interested kindly send me your full information as stated below to Email: wenywenyweny001@gmail.com and I shall provide you with further information;

1.Full name
2.Private phone number
3.Current residential address

Regards
Wenyao Zhou

Anti-fraud resources: