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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: uklotto2008@mchsi.com (FREE LOTTERY AWARD)
Date: Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:37:22 +0000
Subject: FINAL OFFICAL NOTICE!!!

This is to inform you of the release of our 2008 FREE LOTTERY in
which e-mail addresses are picked randomly by software powered by
the Internet. Eighteen email addresses were selected and you are
lucky to be amongst them therefore making you one of winners of
the sum of (750.000.00(G.B.P) in this category and you are to
contact our Financial Controller with the informationbelow for c
learance.FINANCIAL CONTROLLER:Mr ADAMS OWENS Email:owensdept@live.com
In respect to claims, you are to forward the following details to
enable him clear your file for immediate payment:
1.Full Names______________{}
2 Address____________{}
3 Age_______________{}
4 Sex___________{}
5 Marital Status_____{}
6 Occupation________ {}
7 Phone numbers________{}
8 Country_________{}
Yours Faithfully
Shelly Martins.
Lottery Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources: