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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: "Ayo Dasilva" <ayosilva002@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: silvayo212@excite.com
Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 09:09:56 +0000
Subject: From Dr. Ayo Dasilva.

Dear Sir/Madam

Please permit me to contact you through this medium. I know that the contents of this letter will come to you as a surprise and may likely cause you to be apprehensive, especially as it is coming from a total stranger. However, I hope you will give consideration to my proposition.


I am Dr. Ayo Dasilva, a senior accounts officer with a commercial Bank in Nigeria. I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. Some years ago, Chief Mrs Stella Obasanjon, the late wife of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, opened a Deposit Account with my bank. The account was over time corruptly funded by agents of the Government of Nigeria. As at date, the account has a total balance of Twenty five million US Dollars with a maturity date october,2005. On maturity of her deposit, She instructed us to assist her move the money in cash overseas. Her plea was heeded to through private arrangement but unfortunatey coincided with her death in Spain.

All necessary arrangement has been concluded before her Sudden demise on 23rd oct 2005 after surgery in a Spanish hospital.It was the responsibility of my office in time past to facilitate such private cash transfers, before ongoing banks mergers and acquisitions and new Government tight control on banking practice posed a hindrance.Thus, in my private capacity, I arranged the transfer of her money as my bank hands off the transaction because of the nature of her request to move money in cash. I was privy to all arrangement and in control. My proposition to you is that the money be re-routed in your name for safe-keeping.On the recipt of the money you will be required to advise,recommend and appoint investment programs to which money will be deployed.

This transaction is reasonably simple and without risk on your part. It will certainly be of mutual benefit to both of us. I am Looking forward to your earliest reply.

Best regards,

Dr. Ayo Dasilva.

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