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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "john baloyi" <johnbaloyi@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 08 May 2006 15:33:49 +0200
Subject: Re: Dear Idona Berwick

Dear Idona Berwick,

Your email was received and noted.

This lottery is to promote South African 2010 world cup.

Your email address was received from our computer baloting system as one of
the lucky lottery winner, and the total sum of 2 million us dollars will
remmited to your bank account hence you file for your claim.

All you have to do is to contact the lawyer with your details.

Let me know as soon as you contact the lawyer.

Regards,

John Baloyi.

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Anti-fraud resources: