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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: "Mr. Oscar Stephen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <oscarsteves@aol.fr>
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 01:13:01 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend,

Dear Friend,

I am an account officer to late Engr. Mark, who left an inheritance
Cash deposit of USD7.5Million with our bank for someone that has your
name.

I do not know if you are the right beneficiary or not but for two
years l tried to locate his relatives without any success hence you
were contacted to stand as the beneficiary.

Could you please get back to me urgently if you think you are the one
and desire further information. Include your telephone/fax numbers,
residential address, full names, age
and occupation when responding.

I look forward to your email.

Best Regards.

Mr. Oscar Stephen

Note: Please if after going through this email and want to proceed
with this business offer please reply back with this email address
oscarsteves@aol.fr

Anti-fraud resources: