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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: gorgewilliams8899@gala.net
Reply-To: andrew_mathin@hotmail.fr
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 17:01:36 -0700
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY


DEAR FRIEND,


I DIDN'T FORGOT YOUR PAST EFFORT BY TRYING TO HELP ME. CONTACT MY SECRETARY
IN COTONOU DE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN.I HAVE LEFT A CHECK OF
USD$800.000.FOR YOUR COMPENSATION.
HIS NAME IS Mr, ANDREW MATHIN
EMAIL: andrew_mathin@hotmail.fr
PHONE:(+229)97296703
FAX (00229)76 464 287
NB: NOTE: BELLOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATIONS YOU WILL SEND TO MY SECRETARY:


(1) YOUR FULL NAMES :...
(2) YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS :..
(3) YOUR DIRECT PHONE NUMBE WITH FAX IF ANY.

REGARDS
MR.Williams

Anti-fraud resources: