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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: "Mrs Marie Kiala" <mrsmariekiala@msn.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2005 11:57:19 +0000
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE

From: Mrs. Marie Kiala
Cotonou, Benin Republic
Private Email- Mariekiala1@Yahoo.De

Dear Sir,

I Make This Distress Call With Heart Full Of Tears To Seek Your Urgent Help.
I Am Mrs. Marie Kiala, The Wife Of Late Major General Antonio Kiala, Former
Minister Of Defense And Chief Of The Army Staff Of The Republic Of Guinea
Bissau In The Defunct Government Of Joao Bernado Viera. My Husband Died
During The Recent Coup D'etat, Which Deposed The Former Head Of State.In The
Wake Of The Incidence, I Fled Together With My Family To Cotonou Benin
Republic And Took Refuge To Avoid Further Oppression From The Incumbent
Government Who Have Seized All My Family's Properties And Seized All
Accounts Belonging To The Allies Of The Deposed President.

Due To This Unfortunate Situation, I Am Desperately Searching For Reliable
And Honest Partner To Assist Me In Receiving As Quickly As Possible, The Sum
Of Fifteen Million United States Dollars (Us$15,000,000.00) That Is The Only
Money That Is Still Safe And Intact Deposited By My Husband In A Security
Company. I Am Therefore Passionately Requesting Your Kind Help To Move This
Money Out For Safety To Your Country Under Your Care. I Have Solidified
Every Arrangement To Prepare Legal Papers Making You The Trustee And
Beneficiary Of This Fund For A Hitch Free Withdrawal, If I Will Get Your
Positive Response To This Urgent Plea. As We Meet In Due Course, We Shall Be
Discussing Further On Other Important Issues Regarding Mutual Business
Relationship And Possibility Of Securing A Resident-Permit For Me And My
Children In Your Country. Personally, I Am Not Comfortable And Do Not Feel
Safe Staying Here In Cotonou Due To Security Reasons As My Life Is At Risk.
I Must Confess That I Repose Much Hope And Trust In Your Helping Me Out Of
This Ugly Crises.

I Am Equally Willing To Compensate Your Kind Efforts And Co-Operation With
Four Million United State Dollars (Us$ 4,000,000.00) Only. Please Be
Informed That I Am Contacting Your Based On Trust. Please Do Not Disappoint
Me, Your Security Is Highly Guaranteed; Absolute Confidentiality Should Also
Be Adhered To. Please! Please! I Pray Your Urgent Assistance. Contact Me
Immediately Only Through My Private Email Also Send To Me Your Full Name,
Address, And Private Phone And Fax Number So That We Can Proceed Immediately
With The Change Of Documents.
Waiting To Hear From You.
Best Regards,
Mrs. Marie Kiala


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