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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: patrick charles <patrick_charles8c@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2006 16:54:52 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: A call for help


Dear Respectful One,

I know this proposal letter may come to you as a surprise considering the fact that we have not had any formal acquaintance before. but all the same I would want you for the sake of God to give this an immediate attention in view of the fact that the security of our live and possession is at stake.

I am Ptrick Charles from war ravaged SIERRA LEONE but presently living in Abidjan Ivory coast with my sister ESTHER who is 18 years old .My father Mr GEORGE Charles who before his untimely assassination by the rebels was the Director of SIERRA LEONE Diamond corporation (SLDC).

He was killed in our government residential house along side two of my other brother,two house maids and one government attached security guard fortunately for I, younger sister and mother,we were on a week end visit to our home town As we got the news of the tragedy .We immediately managed to ran into neighbouring Ivory coast for refuge. But infortunately. As Fate would have it, we lost our dear mother (may soul rest in peace) as a result of what the Doctor called cardiac arrest.

As we were coming into this country ,we had some documents of a deposit of $11.500.000 USD (eleven million five hundred thousand US Dollars ) made by my late father in a bank.
According to my father, he intended to use this fund for his international business transaction after his tenure in office but was unfortunately murdered .We had located the security company where the money is deposited with the help of an attorney and established ownership. Please right now ,with the bitter experiences we had in our country and the war still going on especially in diamond area which incidentally is where we hail from. Coupled with the incessant political upheavals and hostilities in this country Ivory coast,we desire seriously to leave here and live the rest of our life into a more peaceful and politically stable country like yours Hence this proposal and request.

We therefore wish you can help us in the following regards.
1) To provide us with a good bank account to transfer the money into.
2) To help us invest the money into a lucrative business.
3) To assist my sister ESTHER get a college admission to further his education. Please I know that, this letter may sound strange and incredible to you but the CNN and the BBC African bulletin normally have it as their major news features.

Therefore for the sake of God and humanity give an immediate positive consideration and reply to me via our e-mail address. I will willingly agree to any suitable percentage of the money you will propose as your compensation for your assistance with regards to the above. Please in view of our sensitive refugee status and as we are still conscious of our father's enemies. I would like you to give this a highly confidential approach.

Best Regards.

Ptrick Charles




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