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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 williams <dtwilliams330@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <dt_williams_01@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2007 14:01:05 +0000
Subject: From Dele Ziku



Hello Friend,It is my warmest pleasure in drawing your attention to this confidential business proposal. Dispite the fact that we have not met or done anything before, I want to assure you that this business will definitely benefit both of us, So I pray that you give this proposal someconsideration.I am Mr.Dele W. Ziku, the Operation manager of ECOBANK PLC lagos Nigeria, one of the best in Africa, where most African leaders and prominent men deposit their valuables such as money,diamond,gold etc.I have been with this bank for the past 10 years now so I am conversant with everything that goes on in it. Presently, there are some fund deposited by some people for the past 8 years with nobody coming for the claims of this fund. I carried out a private investigation and found outthat some of the depositors are dead and there are no traces of any member of their families.To me this is an opportunity to make money. And this is where you will come in as next of kin to the fund. you will present yourself as the beneficiary/next of kin to one of the account. If you agree to do this business with me, i will provide all the relevant documents the bank will need from you to prove you right as the bank requires and all the relevant documents will be prepared in your name for the fund to be transferred to your account.I shall come over to meet you in your country for the sharing of the fund and other investment plans. the fund in question is $5.2million united state dollars only, from our records the owner of this account is Mrs. Angela Smith, from united state of America.I am assuring you that you shall not be subjected to any form of risk, if you indicate interest. I hope to further strengthen my business relationship with you after the execution of this one. Inspite of the fact that we have not done business before, I strongly believe that for thesake of God, you will exhibit a trust worthy character when you receive these fund into your account.At the conclusion of this business you will receive 40% of the totalamount,60% will be for me. I look forward to your earliest reply.Please note that your ability to keep this transaction secret is very important for the sake of my job and reputation. Hoping to hear from you soonest.Regards,Dele Ziku.
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