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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "jim williams" <jimwilliams0026@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: info_jimwilliams044@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 25 Aug 2006 15:42:55 +0100
Subject: Dear Wojciechowski

Dear Wojciechowski,

I am Barrister Jim Williams, Principal Attorney to Late Engr. Heroth
Wojciechowski, who used to work with a Multi-National oil Firm in Nigeria.
He was my client, but unfortunately lost his life in a car accident along
sagamu express road last two years 16th August 2004.

Since then I have made several inquiries to locate any of my clients
extended Relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several
unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact you since my client is a
foreigner and since he also has the same surname with you, I will present
you as his relative and the bank will transfer the money left behind by him
to you as his next of kin without suspicious
.
Therefore I need your assistance in receiving the money before they get
confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits
were lodged.The policy of the Bank however stipulates a limited time period
for such inheritance to be made or the fund will be written off going by the
record of the incident, the time limit for the claim is closing up

The Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about ($10.857M(Ten
Million Eight Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand united State Dollars) has
Issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or relative to apply for the
claim before the account will be declared unserviceable or be closed within
the next fourteen official working days.

I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin/relative of the
deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at ($10.857M(Ten
Million Eight Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand united State Dollars) can be
paid into your account and then you and me Can share the Funds 45/45,while
the remaining 10% will be put for any expenses we may incure in the course
of the transaction.

All I require is your full name, address and your telephone number for
effective communication. Your honest co-operation will enable us see this
deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of the law.

Best regards
Barrister Jim Williams

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