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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: "Davis Smith" <dsmith77@cantv.net>
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 19:12:17 -0430
Subject: From Davis Smith

Dearest One,
 
This letter might surprise you because we have not met neither in person nor by correspondence. But I believe it is one day that you get to knowsomebody either in physical or through correspondence.
 
I am Davis Smith I have a proposal to make, that might be of interest to you. I am in possession of a large sum of money (US$18,000,000.00)Eighteen Million USDollars)The money was inherited from my late father who was the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Gold and diamond Mining Corporation during the Sierra Leonian War when Major Johnny Paul Koromah was the country's president.
 
The money is of no criminal origin as it was largely realized from black market sale of alluvial gold dust during the war.The money has been deposited in a Bank here in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).I now want to transfer this money abroad and invest it in profitable ventures,as the time is now ripe for such move.
 
WHAT I ASK YOU TO DO:
1.Firstly to assist me to transfer this money to any stable country abroad.2.To assist me invest the money in profitable ventures in your country or any other suitable country where you have good connections.3 To help re-locate me to the suggested country.4 To manage the money in a profitable manner preferably a joint venture deal with your company.
 
For your assistance you will get 25% of the total amount Upon your request I will give you further details of the plans and tell you more about my self but you must treat as highly confidential for my Security.
 
Regards.
Davis Smith.

Anti-fraud resources: