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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: "STERLING OIL AND GAS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hht100@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 23:47:19 -0000
Subject: CAN YOU?

Dear
We have a total of $12 million due for transfer out of our country to a trusted person overseas like you, the fund was as a result of over inflated contract in an oil and gas transaction, I will give you details only if you have the capacity to keep and secure the funds for our mutual benefit.
Keep confidential for now. My private email: hht100@aol.com.
Yours Faithfully
Philip Uzorn

Anti-fraud resources: