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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: "Lester Stuart" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stuartlester71@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2017 16:58:01 -0500
Subject: We need your confirmation or otherwise.

Dear Sir,


I am Lester Stuart of International Monetary Fund (IMF), United Kingdom. The Board of the IMF has given me the mandate to ensure the release/payment of all delayed/denied and yet to be paid inheritance funds, contract funds or/and lottery funds to every certified beneficiary of the funds. I am delighted to notify you that you are among the first batch of 17 beneficiaries listed to benefit from this approved funds payment. Congratulations.


Your payment file has been forwarded to my desk with an application attached for change of funds beneficiary in favour of Mr. Jerry Adam. Mr. Jerry Adam, a citizen of United States, submitted a letter of claim for your funds stating that you gave him a Power of Attorney to receive the funds already approved in your favour on your behalf. We need your confirmation or otherwise.


You are required to confirm the authenticity or otherwise of the application of claim submitted by Mr Jerry Adam before we can proceed with the process of release of the approved amount. We do not want to make mistakes or release payments to wrong bank accounts.


Your urgent response is being awaited.
.
Yours Faithfully,


Lester Stuart.
IMF, United Kingdom.
Email: stuartlester71@gmail.com

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