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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: "Barrister Antoine C. Bedie" <advocat_bedie@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: info_barr_antoinebedie@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:24:40 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: A Letter To You;Yvonne Bergsma



BARRISTER ANTOINE M. BEDIE
Counselors At Law
Advocat 01 BP 1199,
Cotonou,Republique du Benin
Tel: +229 93-18-39-55.
 
Atten; Bergsma,
 
I am Barrister Antoine M. Claret BEDIE ,the attorney at law to Late Michael Bergsma, a national of your country, who used to work as the Director  of Société Nationale de Commercialisation des Produits Pétroliers  (SONACOP)Oil Company in Benin Republic West Africa Here in after shall be Referred to as my client. On the 25th of December 2003, my client, His wife and their three Children were involved in a plane crash. All occupants of the plane Unfortunately lost their lives.Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved Unsuccessful.
 
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track His last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his Family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in Repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank here.
 
These huge deposits were lodged particularly, with the " ATLANTIQUE BANK BENIN  " An affiliate of Commercial  Bank of Africa where the Deceased had an account valued  at about $18.5 million dollars.  The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated.
 
Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for over 4 years now I seek your consent To present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have The same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at $18.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can Share the money.60% to me and 40% to you I will procure all Necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this Deal through.
 
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
 
Click the website below and view the Plane crash .
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/photo_gallery/3348445.stm
 
And the way we are going to achieve this,  I  need the following information from you,
 
Your Full Name and Address,
Your Age, Occupation and Position,
Your Telephone and  Mobile  for Communication Purpose.
 
Looking forward to hear from you.
 
Best Regards,
Barrister Antoine M. BEDIE
00229 93-18-39-55.



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