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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: "UNITED NATIONS ASSISTED" <yprivacyfoot@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: <fjas1315@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 08:27:25 -0500
Subject: To Scammed Victims !!!

UNITED NATIONS (UNITED NATIONS ASSISTED PROGRAMME)
DIRECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT AND TRANSFERS.
UNITED NATIONS LIASION OFFICE
WIRE TRANSFER/AUDIT UNIT
Our Ref: WB/NF/UN/XX027
DEAR BENEFICIARY :
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family?You may not understand why this mail came to you.
 
We have been having a meeting for the passed 3 months which ended 2 days ago with the UNITED NATIONS BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND AUDITORS with new secretary to the United Nation Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
 
This email is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the world, the UNITED NATIONS have agreed to compensate them with the sum of US$500,000,00 each.
This includes every foriegn contractors that may have not received their contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc.
 
We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you, this have been agreed upon and have been signed.
 
You are advised to contact Wels laz, of Zenith Bank of Nigeria as he is our representative, contact him immediately for your Cheque/ International Bank Draft of USD$500,000,00.
This funds are in a Bank Draft for security purpose ok? so he will send it to you through Courier Services and you can clear it in any bank of your choice.
 
Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want him to send the Draft to you.
 
Conatct Wels laz immediately for your Cheque:
 
Person to Contact Wels laz
Email: welslaz1316@gmail.com
Cell phone Call: +234 808 196 0704
 
Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your Bank Draft.
 
Making the world a better place,
OUR BEST REGARDS.
 
Mr. Kofi Anan
Former secretary to The United Nation.
And New secretary to the United Nation,
Mr. Ban Ki-moon.

Anti-fraud resources: