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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: "David Anny" <david_anny12@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 22:23:19 +0200
Subject: HELLO HI THIS MAIL IS FROM DAVID.


Hello Dear,

I know you don't know me in person, however i will want you to bear with me after reading my mail and be of good assistance to me. For your information, i want to transfer the sum of $1,500,000 only into your account. The money in question was deposited by my late father in a security company here in Abidjan, and the people in the security company did not know the content of the Box, so all i need from you is your full name and address together with your telephone number, that will empower the security company to deliver the Trunk Box to you in your country, and as soon as you receive the Trunk Box all you need is to help me with a letter of invitation that will enable me to obtain my visa to your country.

Finally, i wait until i hear from you.

Best Regards,

David Anny.


Anti-fraud resources: