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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: "paul solomon" <paulsolomon2004@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 10:25:05 +0000
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL

DR.PAUL SOLOMON
DIRECTOR, MINERALS & NATURAL RESOURCES,
GHANA MINISTRY OF MINING & MINERAL RESOURCES, (GMMR)
ACCRA, WEST AFRICAN GHANA.

Sir,

It is my pleasure to write you this letter on behalf of my colleagues. I
have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in executing of a
deal hereunder for the benefit of all parties, and hope you will keep it
confidential because of the nature of this business.

I am the Director of Mineral and Natural Resources of the Ghana Ministry of
Mining and Mineral Resources (GMMR) and I have the co-operation of two other
top officials, we have in our possession an overdue payment in US funds. The
funds represent some percentage of the contract executed on behalf of my
ministry by a foreign firm, which we over-invoiced to the amount of
US$15,500,000.00 (Fifteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars.) Though the actual contract cost has been paid to the original
contractor, leaving the excess balance unclaimed. Since the present
Government is determined to pay foreign contractors all debts owed, so as to
maintain good relationship with other governments. As a result we include
our bills for approvals with the co-operation of some officials at the
Ministry of Finance. We are seeking your assistance as the Beneficiary of
the unclaimed funds, since we are not allowed to operate a foreign account.

We hereby propose that, should you be willing to assist us in this
transaction your share as compensation will be 30% while my colleagues and I
receive 60% and 10% for miscellaneous expenses. This business itself is 100%
safe, provided you treat it with utmost confidentiality. I have reposed my
confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint us. Kindly notify me
byEmail :paulsolomon@mighty.co.za for further details, upon your acceptance
of this proposal.

Best Regards,
Dr.Paul Solomon


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