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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.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "mark F" <mmark232@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: markfoday@teenmail.co.za
Date: Tue, 04 Oct 2005 19:48:11 +0000
Subject: FINANCIAL TRUST

Dear Friend,

Please accept my apology for contacting you this way which
was due to the urgency of my request I am rather in a very
precarious situation that warrants my talking very little
till I confirm our buisness relationship.

If it is money please that would be no problem, I just need
to know you have the capacity to handle large funds and you
can be trusted.

Presently I am in the tight clutches of my native government
who has amongst other things clamped my company and my
freedom all in abid to finance its reform programmes.

The internet for now is my only uncensored link to the
outside world and I would appreciate it if you take me very
seriously.You would be well renumerated for your
effort and assistance.

Hoping to hear soonest from you.

Regards,
Mark Foday


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