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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: arnold smart <arnoldsmart11@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 05:02:05 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: DETAIL FROM ARNOLD SMART


Dear VICTIM-FULLNAME,
How are you today? I hope all is well with you. My good friend,I did send to you details of this transaction as regards representing my company to help collect money from my customers in the America/canada region earlier,I presume you did receive it.I have not heard from you so I decided to write to know what the situation is because time is of great importance in this project.
I will advise that you should kindly indicate your interest as regards this transaction so that we can forge ahead and do please send me A valid mode of Identification (e.g. Drivers License, passport etc.).
We will inform you on the next step to follow as regards our approval for you to be
our representative, upon getting the above information from you.

I anxiously await your response.Thank you very much
and God bless.
Best regards,
Arnold Smart


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