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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: "Brr. Benson Williams" <benson_williams@rediffmail.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 12:07:28 -0700
Subject:

Attention my dear friend:
I am Barrister Benson Williams A legal consultant in Dubai United Arab Emirates. I have a client who is the Director of Roads and transportation in his country, He wants to take some money out of his country for foreign investment, so he need a reliable and trustworthy foreigner who can participate in receiving the fund in his Bank account and take 20% of the total fund transferred. The amount to be transferred is $35m us dollars. Contact me for details.
Thanks
Barrister Benson Williams



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