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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: "office mail" <officemail_5@msn.com>
Reply-To: officemail200@lycos.com
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 16:17:39 +0000
Subject: Business Interest

Dear Sir,
 
Compliments of the new year.  It is my great pleasure to write to you and present my business proposal for your consideration and possible acceptance which you will find mutually beneficial to both parties.
 
As an introduction, I am Senator (Dr.) Onyeabor Obi a seasoned politician (an elected senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) and member of the Board of trustees of the peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria (PDP) which is the ruling party in Nigeria and one of the biggest political party in Africa.
 
In the year 2000, the presidency in appreciation of my efforts and outstanding contribution during his electioneering campaigns that finally brought victory and enthronement of democracy in Nigeria approved my nomination as the chairman, senate committee on foreign contract awards and payments.  The same year, I on behalf of my committee awarded a contract for the upgrading of all Nigerian rail-lines and replacement of the nations train fleet to a foreign company (Russia) and we agreed on a 10% commission for my approving and awarding the said contract.  Upon due execution of the contract, the foreign contractors were settled immediately to the tune of 90% remaining the 10% commission due to me which is US$5.5m (Five Million, Five Hundred thousand United States Dollars).
 
Due to internal Political squabbles and intra-party differences the president put a stop order to the payment of my 10% commission but recently in pursuit of his third term presidential bid the president Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo decided to mend fences with his political opponents and has agreed and given presidential order for the immediate payment of my 10% commission which is USD5.5m (Five Million, Five Hundred thousand United States Dollars).
 
Due to the fact that the said contract was awarded to a foreign contractor and not an ingenious contractor and coupled with the fact that I do not have a foreign company, I urgently need your company particulars to process out the money and I will then come to meet you on how best to invest the money.  Your company will act as a conduit for the transfer of the US$5.5m, set up appropriate entities necessary for management of the said funds and advise as to the best investments to ensure maximum returns.  A memorandum of understanding will be drawn up between parties clearly defining the benefit ratio as we progress in this project. I would therefore appreciate further information on your company, that is what your company does, what you propose to do with my funds and I will appreciate also your general comment s and thoughts about the investment opportunities in your company, country and beyond.  I am interested in real estate, stocks/share (capital market), information technology and communication.  However, all these are subject to your sound investment advise as I shall rely greatly in your judgments.
 
Kindly send to me your company information, that is company name and address, your mobile, telephone and fax number to enable me proceed with the processing of the funds by putting up claims for the payment of the money before the relevant government departments.  I assure you of a hitch – free transfer as I enjoy the support of the government.
 
Upon receipt of your company data, I shall process and obtain all the relevant funds transfer approvals within 10 days and the approved funds will be transferred to your designated account. I will then come over to meet you for the take off of the investment project.  I am not a business man so I shall rely so much on you to realize my investment plans. I shall be glad to reserve this respect and opportunity for you, if you so desire, but do urge you to give the matter your immediate attention it deserves.
Yours faithfully,

Senator (Dr.) Onyeabor Obi.
Business Interest

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