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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Ex-President Charles Taylor" <charles@charlestaylorworld.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 09:29:12 +0000
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL URGENT

ATTN:PRESIDENT/OWNER

PLEASE PARDON MY INFRINGEMENT INTO YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AS YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO REJECT THIS PROPOSAL IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED.

I AM PRESIDENT CHARLES TAYLOR, THE EX-PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA.

I CAME TO KNOW OF YOU WHILE SEARCHING FOR A CAPABLE HAND THAT COULD ASSIST ME IN THIS MUTUAL BUSINESS TRANSACTION INVOLVING NO RISK BUT YOUR TRUST AND CONFIDENTIALITY. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN RE-PROFILING FUNDS OVER US$123 MILLION. I WILL GIVE THE DETAILS, BUT IN SUMMARY, THE FUNDS ARE COMING VIA A SECURITY AND FINANCIAL VAULT IN EUROPE. YOU WILL BE PAID 30% FOR YOUR "MANAGEMENT FEES".

IF THIS INTERESTS YOU, PLEASE WRITE BACK ON MY DIRECT EMAIL charles@charlestaylorworld.com  AND I WILL PROVIDE FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.

KEEP THIS CONFIDENTIAL.

CHARLES TAYLOR
LIBERIAN EX-PRESIDENT.

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