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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: SANJAYABA2006@YAHOO.CO.UK <SANJAYABA2006@YAHOO.CO.UK>
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:05:39 +0200
Subject: DISTRESS APPEAL


My name is SANJAY Abacha, the Brother of the former President of
Nigeria. I =
am writing you this letter to propose a business that will be of mutual
=
benefit to you and me.
After the death of my brother in 1998 most of his funds in Banks in
Europe =
were confiscated by the Nigerian government. However, before his death
he had =
deposited the sum of $26,000,000.00 US dollars with a Security and
finance =
company in Europe.
This fund was transferred via Diplomatic means to the office of the
Security =
firm in Europe to be secured in a Bonded safe vault.
I need your assistance to claim this fund from the security firm and
invest =
part of it into a profitable business in your country under your
supervisionfiltered=
and control. As soonfiltered=
me and my family to come over to your country where we hope to start a
new =
life.
For your assistance you will be entitled to 20% of the total amount
and 5% =
will set aside for miscellaneous purpose excluding any expenses
incurred.
Responfiltered=
documentations regarding this transaction.
Note also that you must keep my confiltered=
because the lives of my family are not safe in Africa.
Best regards,SANJAY ABACHA
+34-649-542-205 or email SANJAYABA2006@YAHOO.CO.UK
NOTE: YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT MY FAMILY FROM THE LINKS BELOW
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1935646.stm

Anti-fraud resources: