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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: "ONWA OBUGE" <dronwa_obug1@ig.com.br>
Date: Sat, 17 May 2008 13:33:41 +0200
Subject: Urgent Information


My Dear Good Friend,
How are you today?
Sorry for any inconvenience and I just want to use this medium to thank you
very much for your earlier assistance to help me in receiving the
inheritance funds, without any positive outcome.

I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in receiving the funds with
the help of a new partner from Japan. Everything was perfectly done because
we strike a deal with one of the Lady accountant who works with the
Remittance Department of the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF)and she
rendered a tremendous help to us.

My new partner initiated this idea and everything worked out successfully.
In appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the Funds, I
have decided to compensate you with the sum of $1.2million USD ( One
Million, Two Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) in a Cashier's Cheque.
This is from my own share of $14.7million USD, I did this simply to show you
that it is good to do good things to the right people always.

Presently, I am in Japan for investment project with my own share under the
advice of my partner Mr. Bruce Day. Meanwhile, I didn't forget your past
efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that
it failed us somehow. Note: I deposited the cheque with the SKY POWER
SECURITY & DIPLOMATIC COURIER COMPANY there in my country Benin
Republic.This company is a well known company here and are the sole agency
responsible for handleing cash or cash related instrument,I did this just
for the security keeping and was agreed with them that the cheque will be
delivered to you immediately you contact them. So try as much as possible to
get intouch with them to know when they will handle the delivery the cheque
to you. With the below information, you can contact the Company.

The director of the company is, Chief Austin Lucas
Email Address; skypowercouriercompany2@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone; +229-930-66-463
Office Address; 102, Mende Marry Land, Sky Power Avenue
Cotonou,Benin Republic, West Africa.

I have given them your contact address but to avoid shipment error and for
effective communication with the Diplomat who will deliver the cheque. You
will need to reconfirm the following informations to them such as:
Full name.......Home address........
Occupation..........
Telephone / Fax number..........
Your sex and Age.........
Your Passport photograph / Driver Licence.....................
In the moment, I'm very busy here in Japan because of the investment
projects which I and the new partner are having at hand, your cheque is with
the company right now, therefore feel free to get intouch with them because
they will definitely get across to you without delays. Please do email to
let me know immediately you receive the money so that we can share the joy
together after all the sufferings at that time.

With My Best Regards,
Honorable Duke Martins

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