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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: HELEN MARTINS <yvk2k@netscape.net>
Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2006 04:57:27 +0100
Subject: HELEN MARTINS


Dear sir

I am the translator to the former Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe in Africa.I am contacting you on behalf of my Boss.

My name is Helen Martins. We have some funds in financial instrument valued at $8.1million .
I am contacting you as regards investment in your country ,these funds can be used for investment within the next ten years, any business that is profitable and viable in your country, subject to accounts and audit.

The profit after tax and other miscellaneous expenses, will be splited at the end of every fiscal year.

Please I will like to know your level of interest on this proposal.

Thanks as I await your response.

Yours Faithfully
Helen Martins

Anti-fraud resources: