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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "Williams Hodge" <jessica_lyone@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2005 02:03:10 +0000
Subject: HELLO DEAR

DEAR SIR,

I AM BARRISTER WILLIAMS HODGE, PRIVATE ATTORNEY TO
THE LATE MRS STELLA OBANSANJO, WIFE OF THE NIGERIAN
PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, WHO DIED ON SUNDAY 23 OF
OCTOBER AT A HOSPITAL IN SPAIN. SHE HAD TRAVELLED TO
SPAIN TO UNDERGO SURGERY AND DIED FROM COMPLICATIONS
RESULTING FROM THAT SURGERY.
? AS THE PERSONAL ATTORNEY TO THE DECEASED, I HANDLE
EVERY OF HER AFFAIRS, MOSTLY PROPERTIES AND FUNDS BOTH
DOMESTIC AND IN OVERSEA'S. IN THIS CASE MY CLIENT WHO
LEFT HUGE AMOUNT OF 72 MILLION GB POUNDS STERLING AND SO
MANY INVESTMENT WITH MY SIGNATURES ABROAD.

VERY SOON MY CLIENT'S FAMILY WILL CALL ME TO ACCOUNT
MY CLIENT'S PROPERTIES AND FUNDS OFFSHORES.?
AT THIS JUCTURE, I SEEK YOUR CONSENT TO PRESENT YOU
AS THE BENEFACTOR TO MY CLIENT'S FUNDS DEPOSITED IN
EUROPE WHICH I WILL DESCLOSE TO YOU, SINCE I HAVE ALL
THE DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE DEPOSITING OF THE FUNDS. I
WILL PROCURE ALL ALL NECESSARY LEGAL DOCUMENTATION
THAT CAN BE USED TO BACK UP ANY CLAIM WE MIGHT MAKE.

ALL I REQUIRE IS YOUR HONEST CO-OPERATION TO ENALBE
US SEEING THIS DEAL THROUGH. I GUARANTEE THAT THIS
WILL BE EXECUTED UNDER A LEGITIMATE ARRANGEMENT THAT
WILL PROTECT YOU FROM ANY BREACH OF THE LAW, I PROMISE
THAT YOU AND I WILL SHARE THE MONEY 50/50%.

I BELIEVE MY LETTER RECIEVED A FAVOURABLE
CONSIDERATION FROM YOU AS I AWAIT YOUR RESPOND AS SOON
AS ABLE POSSIBLE. ON YOUR REPLY I WILL ATTACH MY COPY
INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT FOR PROPER PROOF OF MY
IDENTITY.

BEST REGARDS
HODGE & HODGE ASSOCIATES
101 COLLINS STREET
LONDON, EC4Y 7DE
TEL: +44 (0) 703 194 5215
FAX: +44(0) 870 120 2993
E-MAIL :w_hodge002@hotmail.com


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