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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: "UNIVERSAL TRUST" <thomsaw_ler@safe-mail.net>
Reply-To: thomasw_alter@safe-mail.net
Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2004 11:04:46 +0000
Subject: LOTTERY WINNER

UNIVERSAL TRUST WORLDWIDE PROMOTION LOTTERY
138 EDWARD STREET,
4TH FLOOR BARINOR BUILDING
UK LONDON, ENGLAND
Ref: UT/941OY2/02
Batch: 12/25/DC34
18/12/2004
WINNING NOTIFICATION:
We happily announce to you the draw of the Euro - Afro Asian
SweepstakeInternational programs held on the 30th of october 2004 in cairo Egypt.Your e-mail address attached to ticket number:
56475600545-288 with Serial number 5388/02 drew the lucky numbers
31-6-26-13-35-7, which subsequently won you the lottery in the 3RD category You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of US$2,500,00000 (Two million, five hundred Thousand,United States Dollars) in cash credited to file PC/9080118308/02. This is from a total cash prize of US $25Million dollars,
shared amongst the first Fifty (50) lucky winners in this
category.Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in your playcoupon.
Inview of this, your US$2,500,000.00 (Two million, five hundred
thousand,United States Dollars) would be released to you by our security firm in Europe.
OurEuropean agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate
the release of your funds as soon as you contact him. All participants
were selected randomly from World Wide Web site through computer draw
system and extracted fromover 100,000 companies. This promotion takes
place annually. For security reasons, you are advised to keep your
winning information confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements. To file for your
claim, please contact our fiduciary agent:
Mr Thomas Walter.
Email: thomasw_alter@safe-mail.net
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your
reference/batch numbers in any
correspondences withus or our designated agent. Congratulations once
more from all membersand
staffs of this program.
Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery
program.
Sincerely,
SIR H.J.PONFA
UNIVERSAL TRUST WORLDWIDE LOTTERY Coordinator.
EMAIL: thomasw_alter@safe-mail.net



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