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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: "UCHE OLUFEMI" <olufemi@critterpost.com> (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2004 07:30:31 -0800
Subject: ATTN: NEEDED



First i will like to introduce myself to you.
My name is Mr Uche olufemi, a school teacher with
Federal College of Education Owerri, Nigeria.

I have contacted you because i have a very urgent
business here in Nigeria which i will like to know if
your company will like to take active part in the
bidding.

The Federal Goverment of Nigeria through one of it's
subsidiary the The Ministry of Internal Affairs is
looking for a reliable and reputable company that can
supply them with office furnitures and equipments to
their office.

Mean while i have a very strong contact inside the
office of the principal buyer. This high top Goverment
official inside the Ministry is an old family friend
of Mine and will not hesitate to help you to bid this
contract once i introduce your company to him.

My interest in this deal is that i will collect 0.1%
of the total contract sum from your company once you
the deal is closed with the Ministry and the contract
awarded to you.

I learnt they will pay 100% upfront by t/t upon
contract agreement signing and maximum delivery time
frame is 6months upon money remmittance to your
nominated bank account.

I am ready to introduce your company to this top
official once you confirm your interest to bid in this
contract and my 0.1% commission.
So if you can supply the office equipments(copiers and
printers)
kindly indicate your interest through this email
address.

Waiting for your email.
Regards,
Mr Uche olufemi.


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