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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: "Mr Williams Ikueze" <williams204@zwallet.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: williams_jr2004@myway.com
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 11:17:03 +0000
Subject: APPLY FOR HELP



Dear Sir,
I Hope This Mail Meets You In Good Health And Spirit, I Am, William Ikueze,
A Sierra Leonia. Presently, I Live As A Refugee In republic of senegal dakar ,
With My Younger Sister, Claris.
I Am A Victim Of War And The Son Of Late Chief Dr S.Ikueze. The
Assassinated Former Assistant Director Of Sierra Leone Gold And Diamond
Mining Corporation.
My Father Was Killed With Other Government Officials During Official Hours
When The Rebel Troops Stormed And Raided The Mining Corporation Office At The
Heat Of The Crisis In My Country.
A Few Weeks Later, The Rebels Also Invaded Our Residential Building In Which
My Mother And Two Of Our Security Men Were Killed In The Compound While I Was
Out For A Special Research Program And My Younger Sister Was In School.
I Had A Singular Shock And Trauma, Which Compelled Us To Flee From The
Country To republic of senegal dakar By The Help Of An Army Colonel, Who Is A Close
Friend Of My Late Father, I Have First Degree In Marketing And Would Have Further
My Education If Not For The Death Of My Parents.
I Have Never Worked To Earn My Living Since My Late Parents Had Enough Wealth For Us.
I Am Contacting You Now Because Of The Present Difficulty I Am Facing.
Unfortunately My Father's Two Accounts In West Africa Have Recently Been
Frozen.However This Did Not Affect The Twenty Million And Six Hundred Thousand
Dollars (Us$ 20,600,000), Which He Kept In a security company in senegal dakar.
For Now, I Am Having Every Information And Document Needed For The Clearance
Of The Money In The security company Here In senegal dakar And I Want You To
Act As The Beneficiary Of The Fund For Easy And Smooth Transfer To Your Account Abroad
For Investment Purposes.
You Will No Doubt Be Adequately Compensated With As Well As A Percentage Of
The Profit From Investment Of The Fund. Also You Will See To It That My Sister
And I Come Over To Your Country At The Earliest Possible Time. I Am Making This
Request To You With Tears In My Eyes And I Feel That God Almighty Will Touch
You With His Spirit To Listen To My Cry For Help And Answer Me Without Delay.
Since Our Breadwinner Is No More And This Is The Only Hope For Life.
You Positive Response Will Give Me The Greatest Joy And Relief. God Bless
You For Your Kind Assistance We Have Agreed To Offer You35% Of The Total Sum.
Seriously Waiting For Your Urgent Reply.
Best regard.
Mr Williams Ikueze.Jr



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