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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: "Mensah Steve" <stevemensah7@student.com>
Reply-To: stevemensah_g@o2.pl
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:32:27 +0000
Subject: FROM STEVE,


FROM STEVE MENSAH
ACCRA, GHANA
+233245677530

Dear friend,

My name is Mr.Steve Mensah a political activist and consultant. I am the
treasurer of my party's executive committee on Financial matters presently
exiled in Ghana. My aim of contacting you is to crave your indulgence to
assist us in securing some funds abroad for safe keeping which incidentally
was kept to help us Finance the forth coming elections in my Country.

Fortunately with my immediate ssistance, and contact, we were able to
deposit the money in a security company vault in Ghana private goods pending
when the fund would be needed.The need to contact you arose from the fact
that the present government is cracking down on all oppositions, trying to
trace all the funds and properties owned by our members and party faithfuls.


However If they succeed in tracing these funds to us, they will seize it
thereby incapacitating our quality campaign plans. We wish to relocate this
fund in a foreigner's name urgently to avoid any trace.Therefore all I need
from you is an assurance that you can handle these amount valued
(US$19,500,000) confidentially.

I would want you to handle this proposal with utmost care and understanding
because our election is forth coming and any misfortune will affect us
adversely so your maximum cooperation will be most appreciated.You should
kindly respond through the above email address or phone number.

Yours sincerely,
Mr.Steve Mensah
+233245677530

Anti-fraud resources: