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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: "Mr. Andy Amtan," (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr_andy_amtan@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:53:28 +0700
Subject: Urgent Assistants !!!

Attn: Ceo

Good day,

My name is Mr. Andy Amtan, I am a senior partner in the firm of Infinity Consultants "Private Investigators and Security Consultants" here in London Uk. We are conducting a standard process investigation on behalf of "HSBC", the International Banking conglomerate.

This investigation involves a client who shares the same surname with you and also the circumstances surrounding investments made by this client at "HSBC",the Private Banking arm of HSBC. The HSBC Private Banking client died and nominated no successor in title over the investments made with the bank. I would respectfully request that you keep the contents of this mail private and respect the integrity of the information you come by as a result of this mail.

You share similar details to the late and I am prepared to place you in a position to instruct the firm to release the deposit to you as the closest surviving relation.

Upon receipt of the deposit, I am prepared to share the proceeds with you, I will simply nominate you as the next of kin and have them release the deposit to you. We share the proceeds 50/50. I am aware of the consequences of this proposal.

There is a reward for this project and it is a task well worth undertaking. I have evaluated the risks and the only risk I have here is from you refusing to work with me. I am the only one who knows of this situation, good fortune has blessed you with a name that has planted you into the centre of relevance in my life. Lets share the blessing. If you find yourself able to work with me, contact me through my email.

Below. If you give me positive signals, I will initiate this process towards a conclusion and give more details regarding the transaction woill be sent to you.

Best regards,
Mr. Andy Amtan,


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