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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "powell_family2006" <powell_family2006@caramail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 14:53:53 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: From:Elvis Powell.


From:Elvis Powell. Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire West Africa. Reply to:powell2000@sify.com   Dear sir, I know my message will come to you as a surprise. I was totally convinced to write you in reference of the transfer of fund,U.S$10.5 Million to your account for onward investment (Hotel industries and estate management) in your country.   I am  ELVIS POWELL, the first son of MR PHILIP POWELL, The former Director of The Liberian National Port Authority, who was recently kidnapped and killed by the rebel groups during the recently political crisis in my country.   Due to the political crisis in my country Liberia which lead to removal of Former Liberian President CHARLES TAYLOR who iscurrently on political asslyum in Nigeria and some citizns being forced to leave the country, I and my younger sister left our country to Abidjan the capital city of Côte D'Ivoire for our life sake.   While going through our late father's confidential file, I recovered a relevant document (Fund Deposit S
lip) concerning some fund amounted to the tune of U.S$10.5 Million which our late father deposited with a bank here in Abidjan.   On our arrival to Abidjan my younger sister and I visted the bank and confirmed the deposit with the bank, the fund was deposited with this bank in a coded account, scheduled for transfer to a foreign account, which the bank was expecting my father to forward to them. I am seeking for a reliable foreigner whose account will be used to transfer the fund out of the country.It is on this premises I am contacting you to assist me for the transferring of the fund into your account for onward investment in your country.   For assisting us, We are ready to offer you 20% of the total amount of U.S$10,500,000.00 (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) By this mail you are now requested to forward your bank account information, along with your private tel/fax numbers. please for security reason kindly direct all your messages from now to t
his new email account(powell2000@sify.com)   We are expecting your immediate response.   Sincerely Yours. Elvis Powell.



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