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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: "James" <jmickymario@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 12:59:42 +0000
Subject: Investment Proposal.


From: James M. Mario,
Tel. +22508665778
Email: jmickymario@yahoo.com
Please reply me immediately you receive this mail for more details and action because of the urgency.
Dear ,
In brief introduction I am James Mark Mario, My late father(Late Mr. Mark. Mario,) was a rich farmer, he produce and export cocoa and cafe to other african countries and Europe, he lost his life in the course of heart failure. My father made a deposit of the sum of US$15.500.000 with privat and trust security company here in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire, According to my father, he wanted to use the fund for investment outside my country. My father deposited these box in a security company in the republic of Cote d'Ivoire, he gave me the address
and contact of the security company and the documents coverring the box containing the fund issued to him by the security company.
He said that the scurity company. does not aware of the real content of the box , as he decleared the contents as family valuables. This is for security and other reasons best known by him. my major Reason of contacting you, to help me get this money out of the security company and assist me invest this money into lucrative and profitable business. therefore confirm if you can absorb me in partnership in your company or possibly advise me on any investment opportunity in your country.
When I reach agreement with you, the security company will release my fund and the fund will transfer into an account that you shall nominate and I will come over to you to commence business partnership with you and the fund.
I expect your urgent response including your addresses, your telephone and fax number. please reply me through this my private email : jmickymario@yahoo.com immediately you receive this mail for more details and action because of the urgency.
My regards,
James M. Mario,

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