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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: BARRISTER MARK ANTHONY <fiduciary.dept@live.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:15:55 -0400
Subject: Good-day,

I wish to notify you that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of USD$11,000,000.00 (Eleven Million United states Dollars) in the codicil and last testament of the deceased .


I contacted you because i want to present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance therein. I therefore reckoned that you could receive this fund.

All the legal papers will be processed in your acceptance of this deal, I request that you kindly forward to me the below information that is been requested.

1.Your Letter of Acceptance.
2.Your Full Names.
3. Occupation.
4. Current Home and Mobile Numbers
5.Marital Status.
6.Age.

To enable me forward a written notification letter to the holding bank of this fund for the release of this sum of money.

Please get back to me ASAP so as to get this done immediately.

NOTE: I am contacting you to assist me as a financier/sponsor because this transaction will need some financing to finalize it and I can't afford it alone. I really do need your help in claiming this money before the bank confiscates the account and declares unserviceable.

Yours faithfully,
Barr. Mark Anthony,
Attorney @ Law.


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