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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: "Lawrence Mohalle" <lawrencemohalle04@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2005 14:56:33 +0200
Subject: Assistance!!

FROM THE MANAGER CREDIT & FOREIGN BILLS.
ABSA BANK SOUTH AFRICA
HARTFIELD,
PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA.
Tel : 0027 835 050 636.
Fax: 0027 725 959 810

ATTENTION: Sir/Madam,
 
My name is Dr Lawrence Mohalle the Manager,Credit and Foreign bills of ABSA BANK SOUTH AFRICA. I am writing in respect of a foreign customer of our bank with account number -908-14-255-114 whose name is (Engr) Chung Timothy, U.S, an American citizen who died in a plane crash[Korean Air Flight 801] with the whole passengers onboard on August 6,1997.And for your perusal you can view this web site
 
 
Since the demise of this customer, I personally has watched with keen interest to see the next of kin but all has proved abortive as no one has come to claim his funds of US$6.5M (Six Million Five Hundred Thoudsand United States Dollars) which has been with our branch for a very long time. On this note, I decided to seek for whom his name shall be used as the Next of Kin as no one has come up as his next of kin. And the banking ethics here does not allow such money to stay more than eight years, because the money will be recalled to the bank treasury as unclaimed fund after this period.In view of this I got your contact through a trade journal when i was making a research on a foreigner i will use in this great opportunity. For your assistant I am willing to give you 20% of the total amount.
 
Upon the receipt of your response, I will send you by fax or e-mail the letter of application which you will type sign and send back to our bank to enable us start this processing of this claim.I will not fail to bring to your notice that this business is hitch free and that you should not entertain any fear as all modalities for the smooth and easy transfer of this fund has been finalized, this transaction will be complited within five banking days of recieving your response, after you apply to the bank as a relation to the deceased.
When you receive this letter. Kindly send me an e-mail or call me signifying your decision. Please include your private Tel/Fax numbers for quick communication.
 
Yours Sincerely,
Dr.Lawrence Mohalle.
Manager Credit and Foriegn Bills
Absa Bank South Africa

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