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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: "binta jones" <info@binta.org>
Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 09:34:27 +0000
Subject: FROM GLEEN PARKER

DEAR TACY,

THANKS FOR YOUR EMAIL AND FOR ACCEPTING TO BE OUR AGENT IN THE USA.WE LOOK
FORWARD TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU.YOU HAVE NOW BEEN APPOINTED OUR SOLE AGENT
IN THE USA.WE SHALL INFORM YOU ON YOUR NEXT STEP.

THANKS
GLEEN PARKER


Anti-fraud resources: