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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: =?utf-8?q?lawrance=20washtington?= <lwashtington@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: lawrancewashington@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:07:20 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Glad to hear from You.....


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: lwashtington@yahoo.in

I do appreciate you kind gesture

- I am Dr Lawrance Washington. Chief accountant with finance firm and a major consultant with Rolex International in Uk. I want to transfer the sum of $15.5M dollars to your foreign account and your percentage will be 30% while 70 will be for me.Should it interest you..Please indicate your willingness and readiness by getting back to me for the prograss of transfering the money into your account.For more details contact me immiedately. Thanks Dr Lawrance Washington


Anti-fraud resources: