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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: "Mr.Donald" <dbrooks@hispavista.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: brooksd@terra.com.mx
Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2005 15:43:54 +0200
Subject: From Mr.Donald

Foreign Payment Liaison Office,
Second Avenue, Seattle Washington, WA, 98104, U.S.A
Security Tel/Fax No: 1-610-980-8687


Dear Friend,


Re; Swift/ Telegraphic Transfer of US$10,400.000.00 ( Ten million, four hundred thousand United States Dollars only) to your nominated bank account through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.


Following the September 11th terrorist attacks on United States World Trade Center which slumped the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the office of the comptroller of the currency (OCC) Washington DC, the Accountant General Foreign Payment Liaison office recently carried out Verifications and auditing exercise on foreign payment, this payment was discovered during this process.


I am Mr.Brooks Donald, the Internal Auditor Foreign payment office Seattle branch, Washington. I got your contact through the World Trade Encyclopaedia and wish to express my willingness to transfer an overdue payment of US$10,400,000.00 (Ten million, four hundred thousand United States Dollars only) to your nominated bank account, through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. However, concrete arrangements have been concluded successfully for the transfer.These funds will be released to you as if you are a share-holder at the New-York Stock Exchange.


These funds emanated from over invoiced payment including logistic and Y2K compliance with our programs networking. I discovered this amount from the manifest recently and secured a payment authority to authenticate the transfer. Your Co-operation is highly required for this transfer; Note that you will be entitled to share 15% of the funds. This deal is 100% covered from any form of inquiry, and it will be done under a legitimate funds transfer process.


Kindly send the following information urgently, (1), your full name and address, (2) your confidential Telephone and Fax number. You will open a new bank account where these funds will be remitted. I have successfully worked out a solution to affect the transfer. Finally, note that a high Degree of trust and confidentiality is required from both parties.


Looking forward to your timely response via confidential security E-mail; brooksd@terra.com.mx Make sure you contact me through my email address before sending me a fax or phone call, this is my TEL/FAX:1 610-980-8687


Your urgent reply is highly anticipated.


Mr.Brooks Donald.



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