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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: "robermm02@hotmail.com" <robermm02@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2006 06:19:11 -0200
Subject:

Hello,

My name is Mrs. Marie Roberts, , A Businesswoman
I have been diagnosed esophageal Cancer that
was discovered very late due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has
defiled all form of medicine and right now, I have only about a few
months to live according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived
my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but
my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always
hostile to people and only focus on my business as that was the only
thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is
more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the
world. I believe when am gives a second chance to come to this world, I
would live my life a different way from how I have lived.
Now that I know my time is near, I have willed and given most of my
properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members and as
well as a few close friends and Schools. I have decided to
give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last
good deeds I do on earth.
So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations.
I have whole heartedly donated to victims of Tsunami following that
unfortunate
incident.
Now that my health has deteriorated so badly,
I cannot do this my self any more. I once asked members of my family to
close one of my accounts and donate the money, which I have there to
charity organization in Bulgaria; they refused and kept the money to
themselves.
Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended
with what I have left for them. The last of my money which is the huge
cash deposit that I have with Financial Firm Abroad .
I have set aside 20% of the total amount $1,500,000.00 One million five
hundred thousand dollars) for you and your time and
patience for carrying out this duties.This means you will keep $300,000
(three hundred thousand dollars) for yourself and donate the rest to any
charity organisation.
Kindly Contact my lawyer through this email address
(larrsmith_s@yahoo.co.uk )
so that he can arrange the release of the funds
I am writing this from my hospital bed where I wait for my time to come.

Yours truly,
Marie Roberts,

NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until
the task is accomplished as I don’t want anything that will jeopardize
my last wish. And also I will be contacting you by email as i don’t
want anybody to know because they are always around me.


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