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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "John Williams" <jowilliams2005@tiscali.co.uk>
Reply-To: jowilliams2005@katamail.com
Date: Sat, 5 Mar 2005 11:53:53 +0100
Subject: MR.JOHN WILLIAMS

MR.JOHN WILLIAMS
NNPC FALOMO IKOYI,
LAGOS- NIGERIA.

ATTN: THE PRESIDENT/CEO

WE WRITE YOU THIS LETTER WHICH I PRAY SHOULD BE URGENTLY REPLIED. I GOT YOUR
CONTACT DURING MY YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE FOREIGN MINISTRY. I AM
MR.JOHN WILLIAMS I, PRESENTLY THE DIRECTOR OF THE FINANCE IN THE NIGERIAN
NATIONAL PERTROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC).I AM IN NEED OF YOUR GENUINE ASSISTANCE
AND TRUST BECAUSE AS A TOP OFFICIAL OF THE RULING GOVERNMENT, I WANT TO SAGE-
MY INTEREST IN YOUR COUNTRY BEFORE THE END OF THE TENURE OF THIS ADMINSTRATION.

I PRESENTLY HAVE AN OVER INVOICED CONTRACT PAYMENT OF US28.5M
(TWENTY-EIGHT MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) WHICH HAS REMAINED
UNCLAIMED SINCE 1993. MY SUPERIORS IN THE PRESIDENCY HAVE MANDATED ME TO
PRESENT A HONEST FOREIGNER WHO CAN CONVENIENTLY PROTECT THIS FUND FOR US
IN HIS BANK ACCOUNT IN HIS COUNTRY. I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN BE OF
GREAT ASSISTANCE TO US.

THIS IS WHY I AM CONTACTING YOU AND ALSO REQUESTING FOR YOUR
DISCRETION,MATURITY AND COPERATION. MY SUPERIORS HAVE COMPLETED ALL ADMINISTRATIVE
STEPS TO SEE THAT THIS FUND RECIEVES ALL
THE REQUIRED APPROVALS IMMEDIATELY YOU GIVE ME THE GO AHEAD. ALL I NEED FROM
YOU ARE THE FOLLOWING:
(1) BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER
(2) NAME AND FULL/ADDRESS AND YOUR NORMINATED BANK WITH
TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS
(3) YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS FOR EASY
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN US.

I SHALL SEND YOU BY FAX DETAILS OF THE CONTRACT EXECUTED SOON AFTER I RECIEVE
YOUR FAX OR E- MAIL MESSAGE. YOU WILL BE ENTITLED TO 25% OF THE TOTAL FUND
IMMEDIATELY WE ARRIVE YOUR COUNTRY FOR THE SHARING.10% WILL COVER ALL MISCELLANEOUS
EXPENSES WE SHALL DO BOTH HERE AND IN YOUR COUNTRY. PLEASE, ENDEAVOR TO REACH
ME FOR MORE DETAILS. DO NOT HESITATE TO SEND ME A FAX MESSAGE AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE, I SINCELY COUNT ON YOUR ASSISTANCE.

REMEMBER , I AM HIGHLY PLACED OFFICIAL AND EXPECT ABSOLUTE DISCRETION FROM
YOU IN ORDER TO PROTECT OUR HONOUR FROM FOREIGN JOURNALIST WHO SEEK TO DESTROY
MEMBERS OF OUR RULING CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT. THIS TRANSACTION IS HITCH- FREE,SO
YOU NEED NOT ENTERTAIN ANY FEAR AT ALL.

I EXPECT YOUR URGENT RESPONSE.

BEST REGARDS,

MR.JOHN WILLIAMS.


___________________________________________________________

Book yourself something to look forward to in 2005.
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Bargain holidays - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/holidays/



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