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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: Thomas Mashaba <thomasmashabapro@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2007 23:16:58 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re URGENT



Dear, Ms Hedy Kirsch

Thanks for your reply. It is indeed my pleasure to write you this letter, which I believe will be a surprise to you as we have never met before, and I am deeply sorry if I have in any manner disturbed your privacy. Please forgive this unusual manner to contact you, but this particular letter is of exceptional and very private nature.

There is absolutely going to be a little doubt and distrust in you mind, but as the process on fold, you will see that your assistance to me will not be unrewarded. There is no way for me to know whether I will be properly understood, but it is my duty to write and reach out to you for assistant.

However, before I give you further details regarding the transaction, I want you to send the following information’s to me; I want to be sure of whom I am dealing with.

1. Your full names
2.Your private phone and fax numbers
3.Your place of work or kind of business
4. Your Age.

As soon as I receive the information, I will call you for discussion regarding the issue.

Waiting for your urgent reply.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Thomas Mashaba

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