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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 Agnes Massaquoi" <massaquoiagnes@msn.com>
Reply-To: mrsagnes.massaquoi@presonal.ro
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 01:17:56 +0000
Subject: Please Urgent Reply Needed From Agnes Massaquoi

Dear Friend,

This letter is written to you based on contact information
I came across while searching for investment options
overseas. My name is Mrs Agnes Massaquoi, and I work for an
insurance company. Last month, I and my colleague
discovered three unclaimed policies for very large sums of
money to be paid out as premium for the expatriate quota of
an oil servicing company that went bankrupt eight years ago
and does not exist anymore.

For us to claim this money, we need a foreigner who we can
file a claim on this policy using details and information
we will supply. Should you accept, we are willing to split
the funds three ways, with each of us having an equal
share. Once you file the claim, we will do the rest for you
on the inside and get the payment issued in your name.

Should you be interested, let me know at the email address
below with your telephone number and fax included for
proper discussion. I will also provide you with full
working details of this transaction. Kindly copy a
response to:ladyagnesmassaquoi@personal.ro

Yours truly,

MRS AGNES MASSAQUOI


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