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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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Fraud email example:

From: "GOD GOD" <x3vetiva@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: paul_rohdes@sify.com
Date: Wed, 02 Nov 2005 15:53:23 -0900
Subject: Re: Update About the Death of the wife of Nigerian President

Barrister Paul Rohdes (SAN)
Flat 8 Block 12 NNPC Quarters
Garki Abuja Nigeria.
Reply to: paul_rohdes@sify.com
+234-1-4732871
Hello Dear,
I presume this letter will come to you as a surprise,but as things unfold,we will know each
other better. I will start by introducing myself to you.I am Barrister Paul Rohdes , the
attorney and personal lawyer to Mrs Stella Obasanjo, The wife of acting president of
Nigeria who on the 22th october ,2005 in madrid spain.
 I am really sure that you will be of a good assistance after going thoroughly through this
letter. I want to use this opportunity to move the sum of
(US$18.M) into your custody for safe keeping, pending my arrival in your country. This said
amount was given to Mrs Obansanjo as gratification from some Foreign Oil Companies she
helped in getting Allocation for the Drilling of Crude Oil in Nigeria.
As the wife of the president federal republic of Nigeria , she does not want to be exposed,
hence she gave me this money to keep so that she can be exonerated from the eyes of
government security operatives in Nigeria.Now she is dead , I seek you partnership to
move this money into your bank acount for onward investment in your country.The money
was then neatly packed in four boxes and tagged as Diplomatic Documents and film
materials(PERSONAL EFFECTS).I then deposited the boxes for save keeping in a
Security/Finance here in Nigeria on January 3rd,2004.The security company do not know
that the four boxes contains money.This was done for my personal security reasons.The
deposit paper reads: four trunk boxes containing film materials and diplomatic
documents.Some top government officials in Nigeria use this method to transfer money
to their foreign partners outside the country for confidential reasons. The little money I
use for personal expenses here has finished that is why I needed your assistance to
process the release of the boxes from the security company where it was deposited.I
want these boxes to taken out of the security company to your destination so that I can
be able to open the boxes and retreive the money for my expenses and to
arrange myself for business investment.Please hasten up and help me to
recieve these boxes.
Be informed that this money is not connected with drugs;money laundry,firearms and
looting which I believe will put fears in you to render the required assistance needed from
you and consequently withdrawing your help for security reasons.Hence the source of this
said money is clean and clear,Rather,to help me,on your indication of assisting me,I will
contact a lawyer who will sworn an Affidavit of Change of Ownership/Claim on your behalf
to enable the security company release the boxes to you without delay.
Be rest assured that this transaction is 100% risk free,and my husband will not raise any
alarm because the deposite documents was written in my name and in my possession
now.As soon as this money is moved to you, and you confirm to me that
you have received it, I will be coming to meet you up there in your country where I wish to
live the rest of my life. I will be offering you 20% of this money if you show your personal
commitment in this transaction and 2.5% of the money will be used to settle any personal
expenses that have been incured along the line of the transaction and for all your help at
this time of need.
Be informed that this transaction will not last more than 14 working days and it will be
concluded because every arrangement has been put in place. Your negative or positive
response will be highly appreciated.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Paul Rohdes (SAN)
--

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