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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: "louis_mbanef12" <louis_mbanef12@terra.com.mx>
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2006 20:27:34 -0600
Subject: Act As My Next Of Kin!


FROM: LOUIS MBANEFO DEAF(ESQ)
LOUIS MBANEFO & ASSOCIATES,
#35 ADESHA BASHUA, LAGOS.
Email:louis_mabnefochambers@yahoo.com
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Barrister Louis Mbanefo Deaf, Barrister,solicitor and Personal Attorney to Late Engr.Thomas Henderson,A National of United States of America, who used to work with Shell Development Company as the Chief Engineer.On the 2nd of may 2002, My Client with his wife And their two children were involved in a fatal car accident along Lagos Epe Express Road here in Nigeria. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives, Since then I have made several enquiries to their embassy to locate any of my client's extended relatives, this effort has been unsuccessful.
After several attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of his family but to no avail hence my mail to you is to assist in repatriating the money that belongs to my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit was lodged.My Particular interest is in African Development Bank(A.D.B) where the deceased had an account valued at Eight Million United States Dollars.The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next-of-kin or have the account confiscated within the next thirty official working days.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over two years, I am seeking your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid into your account.You should not worry about the different names between you and my dead client.I will present you as a relative For your assistance, you shall becompensated with 30% of the fund while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require. I will appreciate that you forward the following information so that we can proceed immediately with the processing of the transfer to the account you shall provide.
1. Your fullname and address
2. your Contact address and banking information.
We can pursue this deal through two different methods.(1) We could arrange for the funds to be delivered through the Bank'scourier system or(2) You could open anAccount with the Bank's Online Correspondence Bank and make the transfer your self to your own bank.That way,i would not know your bank details.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us have this transaction accomplished. It is worthy to note that due to the nature of this transaction absolute confidentiality is required during the course of this transaction and when the fund has been remitted into your nominated account.However,I demand absolute sincerity.
Best regards,
Barrister Louis Mbanefo Deaf (Eqs).

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