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

Fraud email example:

From: "Usman Johnson" <usmanjohnson33@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2005 13:19:24 +0100
Subject: Dear Nan

Dear Nan,

I am Barrister Usman Johnson , a solicitor at law. I am the personal
attorney to Mr. Michael Nan, a national of your country, who used to work
with Laptoil Petroleum Company.

On the 21st of April 2002, my client, his wife and their only daughter were
involved in a car accident along burukutu express road. All occupants of the
vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several
enquiries to your embassy here to locate any of my clients extended
relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name
over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.
I have contacted you to assist in recovering the fund valued at US$12million
left behind by my client before it gets confiscated declared unserviceable
by the Security Finance Firm where this huge amount were deposited.

The said Security Finance Company has issued me a notice to provide the next
of kin or have the account confiscated within the next twenty-one official
working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating there relatives for
over 2years now, I seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the
deceased since you have the same last names, so that the proceeds of this
account can be paid to you.

Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the
sharing ratio and modalities for transfer. I have all necessary information
and legal documents needed to back you up for claim. All I require from you
is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I
guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from any breach of the law. You can contact me through this
email: usmanjohnson78@yahoo.co.in

Best Regard,

Barrister Usman Johnson.


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