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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: " ONLAE WINNER" <onlae100winner@aim.com>
Date: Wed, 31 May 2006 14:07:04 +0200
Subject: Rebel YOU WON THE PRIZE!!!


ONLAE LOTTERIA PROMOTIONS.
MARBELLA SPAIN.
FROM THE DESK OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
ONLAE LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL.
REF NO: OLOT33123143/06
BATCH NO:41123/ONL8671/ESB

FINAL WINNING NOTIFICATION
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the ONLAE GROUP SPONSORED LOTTERY which was held on the 15th of May 2006. Your email or your company email address attached to a ticket number 035-101556890-860 with serial number 1123-04 drew the lucky numbers 5-12-23-34-37-46 which consequently won the lottery in the 1st category. You have therefore been approved for a lump sum payout of _760,510.24 Euros(Seven Hundred and Sixty thousand Five Hundred and Ten Euros Twenty Four Cent Only) in cash credited to the file reference number: OLOT33123143/06. This is from a total cash prize of _21.294,286.72 Euros(Twenty One Million Two Hundred and Ninty Four Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty Four Euros Seventy Two Cent Only) shared among twenty eight (28) international winners in this grand category.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your funds is now deposited in a suspense account with our paying Bank insured to your name waiting remittance into your bank account.
Due to the privacy policy guiding this lottery promotional program, we advice that you keep your award from public notice until your claims has been processed and your money remitted to your nominated bank account as this is this is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unwarranted abuse of this program by the general public.
All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 25,000 names and E-mail addresses from Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America as part of our international lottery program which we conduct twice every year. We hope that with part of your prize, you will part-take next year in our high stakes 1.3billion Euros International Lottery. To begin your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent and Provide him with the information below:
1.Name:
2.Address:
3.Marital Status:
4.Occupation:
5.Age:
6.Sex:
7.Nationality:
8.Country Of Residence:
9.Telephone Number:
10.Fax Number:
11.Draw Number above:
**********************************************************
MR.Raul Menedez.
Alternative Email: raulmenedez@lycos.es
**********************************************************
Foreign Services Manager, Payment Process and Release Order Department for processing and remittance of your cash to a designated account of your choice. Remember,all winnings must be claimed not later than 30th June 2006, after this date, all unclaimed funds will be returned to the promotion company.
Our winners are assured of the utmost standard of confidentiality, and press anonymity until the end of proceedings, and beyond where they so desire.
Be further advised to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality until the end of proceedings to circumvent problems associated with fraudulent claims. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.

Yours faithfully,
Mr's. Rachel Domingo.
(Lottery Co-ordinator)


Anti-fraud resources: