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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: "iRichard Sullivan" <richardfile02@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: richardsullivan1@kaixo.com
Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 12:15:25 +0000
Subject: From Mr. Sullivan

URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL
Engineer Richard Sullivan
Shell Petroleum South Africa.
Attn: MANAGING DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT/CEO
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Engineer Richard Sullivan, a Director of the Contracts Award and
review Department with the Shell petroleum South Africa. I am
contacting you on the business of transferring the sum of
US$20,500,000.00.(Twenty Million, five Hundred thousand United States
Dollars only) into a safe foreign account and the need is very urgent.
I got your contact from the South-Africa Chambers of Commerce and it is
with business trust that made me to contact you on this matter.I write
to solicit for the transfer of this money into your account. This Money
was generated from an over Invoiced contract sum in my corporation.
I am contacting you for your help and partnership for the following two
reasons:
(1) As a civil servant, I am not permitted to own foreign accounts due
to civil service code of conduct.
(2) My present financial resources as a civil servant will not be
sufficient for me to handle the transfer alone successfully without
financial assistance from a reliable foreign partner abroad like you.
20% of this sum would be for you as compensation for using your Bank
account in transferring this money, 5% would be used to re-imburse the
expenses made by both parties during the processing of the transfer
which includes, telephone bills, traveling
expenses and fees. While 75% is for me.
Please note that I will arrange to meet with you immediately after the
successful conclusion of the transfer, the 75% share of mine will be
used for investment overseas. Your assistance and co-operation is
highly needed. I assure you that this transaction is 100% risk free. If
you are interested I will require your banking information as mentioned
below:
1. Name to be used as beneficiary and beneficiary address.
2. Your private and confidential telephone/ fax number(s)and Cell

phone.
3. Your bank name and address, your bank Telephone and fax number(s).
I hope to conclude this business within the next fourteen- (14) working
days.
Looking forward to your anticipated and urgent positive response via e-
mail. at: richardsullivan1@kaixo.com

Best regards,

Richard Sullivan



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