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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: "Mrs. Marie" <mrsmarie5@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 08:32:51 +0000
Subject: FROM MRS MARIE KIALA GOOD DAY

From: Mrs. Marie Kiala
Cotonou,
Benin Republic
Private Email- mrsmarie5@excite.com
Dear Sir,
I make this distress call with heart full of tears to seek
your urgent
help. I am Mrs. Marie Kiala , the wife of late major
general Antonio
Kiala,former minister of defence and chief of the army
staff of the
republic of guinea Bissau in the defunct government of Joao
Bernado
Viera.
My husband died during the recent coup d'etat, which
deposed the former
head of state.In the wake of the incidence, I fled together
with my
family to Cotonou Benin Republic and took refuge to avoid
further
oppression from the incumbent government who have seized
all my
family's
properties and seized all accounts belonging to the allies
of the
deposed
president.
Due to this unfortunate situation, I am desperately
searching for
reliable and honest partner to assist me in receiving as
quickly as
possible, the sum of fifteen million united states dollars

(USD15,000,000.00)
which is the only money that is still safe and intact
deposited by my
husband in a security company. I am therefore passionately
requesting
your kind help to move this money out for safety to your
country under
your care. I have solidified every arrangement to prepare
legal papers
making you the trustee and beneficiary of this fund for a
hitch free
withdrawal, if I will get your positive response to this
urgent plea.
As we
meet in due course, we shall be discussing further on other
important
issues regarding mutual business relationship and
possibility of
securing a resident-permit for me and my children in your
country.Personally,
I am not comfortable and do not feel safe staying here in
Cotonou due
to security reasons as my life is at risk. I must confess
that I repose
much hope and trust in your helping me out of this ugly
crises.
I am equally willing to compensate your kind efforts and
co-operation
with four million united state dollars (USD 4,000,000.00)
only. Please
be informed that I am contacting your based on trust.
Please do not
disappoint me, your security is highly guaranteed;
absolute confidentiality should also be adhered to. Please!
Please! I
pray your urgent assistance.Contact me immediately only
through my
private email also send to me your full name,address,
private phone and
fax
number so that we can proceed immediately with the change
of documents.
Waiting to hear from you.
Best regards,
Mrs. Marie Kiala


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