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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: "Kwame" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cashbia7@o2.pl>
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2004 03:17:32 +0100
Subject: Ghana Cement

Good Morning,
 
I write asking for your indulgence in re-profiling funds which we want to keep under your supervision. We would like you to receive the said funds on our behalf if we are all able to reach a working understanding before we set off.
 
The Funds totalling Fifteen Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S. dollars have been derived over time from a project awarded a foreign firm by my Department and presently the actual contract cost have been paid to the original project executors, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount which we have in principle obtained approval to disburse.
 
Currently, I am Auditor General of Ghana Cement Company here in Accra Ghana.
I have the authority and approval of my partners involved in this transaction to negotiate a suitable compensation for your participation and I propose 22.2 percent, while we also propose that we receive 46.6 percent and 31.2 percent be earmarked for purposes of taxation in your country and mine.
 
This endeavour has a minimal risk factor on your part provided you treat it with the utmost discretion as we are still actively working at the Ghana Cement Company Accra, Ghana.
I am in the United Kingdom on a training program that will last a couple of weeks hence the timing of my letter to you.
 
I can be reached on my personal phone +44 (0) 7031961190 and email if you want to discuss this project further.
 
Yours Sincerely,
Kofi Kwame.
 

Anti-fraud resources: