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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: "MR LARRY Bishop" <claiming_department_03@msn.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 05:55:16 +0000
Subject: <<VIEW ATTACHMENT>>

Dear Patricia Ann (Grace) Smith,

Attached to this e-mail is a scanned copy of your Certificate of Winning,
kindly confirm receipt of this attachment.

Your Original Certificate, Cheque, and Funds Documnet are with the
Courier Company for delivery to you, I do not have the right to interfere in
the affairs of the Courier Firm on this I will advise you resolve every
issue of your delivery with the Firm as soon as possible.

The nullified period to which all unclaimed prize will be returned to the
Lottery House is fast approaching. I expect an urgent action to my e-mail.

Thank you,

Mr. Larry Bishop


Anti-fraud resources: