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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: "pedrojames92@yahoo.com" <ped.jama@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: pedrojames92@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:51:35 +0100
Subject: This is my second letter to you


*Hello

This is my second letter to you, i am Barrister. James Pedro, I received a
letter from a bank here requesting for the next of kin to my deceased
client. The Letter stated that he made fixed deposit of some amount of money
last two years before his death. The bank is aware of his death, though he
was not married, neither did he leave a "WILL" nor specified next of kin,
the bank is anticipating someone with the same surname to come along for
claims. As it is, no one can put up claims except someone with the same
surname and referred from my office. All efforts to get his family relatives
have been abortive. I solicit that you allow me introduce you as his
relative based on the fact that you have the same surname. He was aged 56.
He lived and worked here as a foreigner and requested to be buried here.
Kindly let me know if you are interested so that i can give you further
details and certain other documents to enable you contact the bank for
release of the funds to you. I have spoken with the bank manager on this
matter extensively and he is waiting for your introduction to the bank
according to his directives. *

* *

*All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this dealt
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law and i will
brief you on the details upon your response.
Ensure that you include your direct telephone number for my call immediately
i hear from you. *

* *

*Please treat with the priority it deserve.

I await your urgent feedback*

*Regarsds,*

*Barr. James Pedro
*

Anti-fraud resources: