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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: Joycer Atomu <you_is_real2006@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 20:25:04 +0100 (BST)
Subject: THANKS/URGENT


Dear Gilda Pratty,

Thanks for your e-mail, you said you like to know more, right?

Regarding my proposal to you, all that is needed is your personal phone / fax number and home address and once you get this to me I will send you the documents that my late father used to deposit the funds in the security company here in Ghana.

I am doing this transaction with you base on truth and truth that is why am entrusting this huge amount under your care.

I want you be to my late father foreign partner / sole beneficiary of the funds deposited in the security company, so that you can claim it to your country for meaningful investment.

I will offer you 30% of the total amount.

I hope to hear good news from you as soon as possible.

Thanks from yours faithfully
Joyce Atomu.

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