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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: steve_zuma@walla.com
Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 00:12:50 +0200
Subject: PRIVATE

FROM:STEVE ZUMA
PRIVATE EMAIL: steve_zuma2@yahoo.com



Dear Sir,

Compliment of the day to you,I am Mr.Steve Zuma of First National Bank(FNB) in South Africa.I am in need to contact you on a personal basis,I have a late client who left a substantial amount in foreign exchange with my bank,and I am his account officer up until now having sought for his
next of kin for the past three year I have been mandated to produce a next of kin within a provisional time of 30th days or risk national treasury confiscated of this fund.

Sir, you bear the same last name as my late client,I therefore think we can do business, The amount we are looking at is Eight million six hundred thousand dollars( 8.6M USD).

Please i sincerely seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you have the same Family names and come from the same Nationality,so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you as beneficiary/Next of Kin.

I only find this arrangement a logical means to an end,That will be beneficial to both of us under a mutual understanding.

In receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for transfer.I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for this claim.
All I require from you is your honest cooperation and total commitment which will enable us see this transaction a success.

I consider this discussion strictly between us for I am still a management staff of this bank.
Please get in touch with me through the above email for more details.

Best Regards,
Mr.Steve Zuma


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