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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: SMITH WILLIAMS <payment_agent202@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2007 16:42:27 +0100 (BST)
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT


Thanks for your response,well i will advice you to have the money paid so that we can deliver your winnings b/cos that is our policy here, and we are doing it our self to deliver your winnings due to the high levels of scam around, so that is why we are doing the home delivery our self,please there is no way we can send you only the check b/cos there are other very vital documents that is inside your parcel to back your winnings so that you will not have any problem cashing your winning check in your country hope you understand.

Note:That our delivery officer will be the one to assist you cash your check in your bank in person so that you will not have any problem cashing your check.

Do have the delivery charges paid so that we can proceed with the delivery of your winnings.

Thanks for your understanding.

Mr Smith Williams.



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