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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: "FROM THE DESK OF THE PRIZE DIRECTOR" <thompson_dacoser@zwallet.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 19:05:05 +0200
Subject: AWARD NOTIFICATION

ASTRA LOTO PRIZE INC
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRIZE DIRECTOR
ASTRA PROMOTIONS / PRIZE AWARD DEPT
LOT # EMD987UYT
Date: 22/07/2005

ATTENTION:

AWARD NOTIFICATION

Good Day!

My name is Thompson Dacoser, the prize director representing the International Lottery Incorporated On-Claim Department. On June 7th 2005 at approximately 3:45pm I tried contacting you, but unfortunately was unable to get a hold of you. The main reason f
or mailing you this letter is to inform you the reason for my call. Every year we receive over 5,000 lottery names from different players worldwide.Precisely speaking,I was just looking at our network and find out that you were selected as a prize winner on may 27th 2005 and you haven’t claimed your winnings, for the sum of US$250,000.00 DOLLARS. Usually when a winner doesn’t claim their money there should be a note that says why the winner has not claimed their money, and the client file will be close
d. So I’m mailing in regards to know why you have not made any effort to claim your money. You have $250,000.00 sitting here, waiting for you. I don’t know why somebody will wait that long to claim there money? To elaborate more,

This draw was held in Vancouver British Columbia, where our head office is located.Moreover, if we did not hear from you within 3 weeks from the day this letter was sent, your file willbe close and you will no longer be able to claim your winnings.Our main payment office is located in Toronto. This is where you will be receiving your amount of winnings US$250 THOUSAND DOLLARS.Now, I would like to explain to you the Federal and International Law involving the personal collections of cash prizes. According to the Federal and International Law, prize winnings are released as soon as your Clearance Fee is deducted. That will be the day that your check will be released from our office. Now,your Clearance Fee is a calculated amount and is required by Federal and International law.Note that once your clearance fee is deducted, you will receive your winnings in the form of a certified check. So once again, Congratulations to you! For more information please contacts our main paymen

t office in london at (+447040116904). Ask for Thompson Dacoser or Christine Cooper.

Sincerely,

THOMPSON DACOSER


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