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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: musa idris <musa_22idris@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <musa_1idris@myway.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:00:18 +0100
Subject: urgent reply please



Mr Musa Sani IdrisDivisional Head, Operations,UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC..36 Broad Street, Marina, Lagos-Nigeria.TELEPHONE:234-8037227940EMAIL: musa1idris@myway.com.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Mr Musa Idris, a Divisional Head of Operations, with the UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC. I was personal account manager to one late Engr Walter of your country, who till his death was a contractor with Impresario Nigeria Limited, Moenier Oil & Gas Consult and Nigerian Ports authority. On the 4th of May, 2002, Engr Walter his wife and their two children were involved in a plane crash and all passengers on board and the crew unfortunately lost their lives. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1968616.stm At the time of his death, Walter had a deposit of $15.6 Million, which was proceed of a contract work he just concluded with the Nigerian Ports authority. The payment was made with an Eco bank cheque, which I personally cleared. Unfortunately, till this moment no one has come as his relation for his deposit with us. Since it is over five years, the money will be handed over to the government if no body comes to lay claim of the money as the beneficiary/next of kin to the account owner according to governing rules of the bank. I humbly request your attention to this matter so that I can present you as his next of kin or beneficiary to his deposit. It is not a very difficult thing to do especially as you share the same last name with him and it will not take time too. All we need is to change the name and particulars of his next of kin to yours in our computer database and we file in an application for the release of the fund through the Probate Office in your name. It does not necessarily mean that you must be here to conclude the deal; we may request that the money be sent to Europe for payment. Please contact me as quickly as possible on the above email address or on this alternative email address; musa1idris@myway.com We will talk about the sharing ratio as soon as you get in touch with me. Kind regards, Musa Sani Idris
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