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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: "kelvin mark" <kelvinx1@msn.com>
Date: Sat, 05 Nov 2005 10:00:42 +0000
Subject: HELLO.

DR. KELVIN MARK
Treasury Controller
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

Dear Friend,


BUSINESS PROPOSAL.
I am the Treasury Controller, Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation [NNPC] and a close associate of the immediate past Minister of
Petroleum
Resources.
The Minister has mandated me to transfer the sum of US$88 millions recovered
from an over-invoiced contracts involving the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation [NNPC] into several private account in Europe and United States.
A total sum of US$73,700,000.00 has been transferred before the emergence of
this present Civilian Administration,leaving the balance of
US$14,300,000.00.
I have made proper arrangement/documentation to transfer the balance which
is retained in a coded account of the NNPC with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
We are soliciting that you help us to receive the fund in trust. We cannot
complete this transaction smoothly without the participation of a foreign
partner who would provide an account where the funds could be lodged. Since
it is a contract payment, the funds must be remitted to a foreign account.
The remittance of the funds requires
little documentation.
There is no risk involved on your part in this transaction since the former
Minister and I have covered this transaction with adequate contract and
external credit documents from the beginning.
What we require from you by e-mail or fax are viz:
{i} Acceptance letter of this offer
{ii} Your company name and confidential telephone and fax numbers
{iii} Convincing Honesty, Trustworthiness and Willingness to abide by the
requirements of this proposal paramount of which is CONFIDENTIALITY.

We have agreed that you will retain 20% of the entire US$14,300,000.00 for
your effort in this transaction, 70% for us partners here in Nigeria and the
remaining 10% will be used for defrayal of incidental cost in the course of
this transfer.
Please reply urgently by fax or e-mail as we expect that the transaction
will not take more than ten working days. And please note that this
transaction must be top secret.
Best regard.
Dr. KELVIN MARK
(Treasury Controller NNPC)


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