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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: "Musa Adams" <musaadamschambers@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: barristermusa1_adams@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 01:37:23 -0700
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED!!!

ATTN:FROM THE DESK OF:
Musa Adams & Associates
No. 54 Broad Street,


ATTN:SIR/MADAM

I am Barrister Musa Adams a solicitor at law. I am the personal Attorney to
Mr. Harry Lung a national of your country, who used to work with ZEN ON OIL
REFINERY NIGERIA(PLC). On the 6th of May,2002 it was reported to us that my
Client, his wife and their only daughter were involved in a Local Plane
Crash at Kano State, en route Abuja (The Capital City)all occupants in the
Plane lost their lives,unfortunately on this same flight were other
dignitaries like the Sports Minister and a host of others.

The following websites could be referenced:
http://www.usafricaonline.com/ngrkanocrash.html
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2002/05/06/stories/2002050600451500.htm
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/05/05/stories/2002050503070101.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1968616.stm

Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my
clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful.After these
several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to locate any member of his family
or anyone whom i can truth,hence I contacted you.I contacted you to assist
in claiming this fund from the finance house where he deposited it before
his untimely death.

The finance company where the deceased had an account valued at about
USD$7.5 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or
have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.Since
I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now I
seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since
you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at
USD$7.5 million dollars can be paid to you as the next of kin.

All I need is your full maximum support and cooperation to enable us achieve
this transaction within 10 working days and I guarantee that this will be
executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of the law.If you are interested in this transaction,kindly furnish
me with,

1,Your full name,
2,Your address,
3,Your private telephone numbers
4,Your fax number,
5,Your age and status


IN GOD I TRUST

Best regards,
Barrister Musa Adams.


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