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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: "bayo lawal" <general_bayolawal@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: gen.bayo_lawal@consultant.com
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 01:38:25 +0000
Subject: CONSULTATIONS

Dear Sir

I am General.Bayo Lawal of the Nigerian Army and I am in charge of the
peacekeeping services in the Niger-Delta regions in Nigeria and I looking=
=20
for a trustworthy person who will be able to receive some funds, which I=20
intend to invest in your country.

The funds have since been deposited in a security company's vault for som=
e=20
time now and I will like you to please receive this money into your custo=
dy=20
so that I will make a proper arrangement and come over to America for an=20
investment purposes.

If you are interested, please send to me the following information=92s so=
that=20
we will facilitate the movement of these funds into your custody without =
any=20
delay. I will like investing this money into a real estate development an=
d=20
management in your country. And I will like you to please send the follow=
ing=20
information=92s to me for easy communications.

1,Your Full Name and Address
2,Your Private Mobile, Telephone and Fax numbers

Please, treat with the strictest confidentiality and utmost urgency.
Waiting to read from you soon. so that we can commence with the
transactions.

Regards
Gen.Bayo Lawal


Anti-fraud resources: