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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: "Stevie Shawn" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrstevsss45@sify.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:44:44 +0100
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL AND A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

From: The Accountant,
Gulf Bank International,
4 Enfield Road, Etham.
London.

Dear Friend,

BUSINESS PROPOSAL AND A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

My name is Sir. Stevie Shawn. I am the accountant of the Gulf Bank International London.I am a British citizen married with two kids.

I am writing to solicit your assistance in the noble transfer of 3.800,000.00 (Three Million, Eight Hundred Thousand British Pounds). This fund is the excess of what my branch in which I am the accountant made as profit during the last year. I have already submitted an approved end of the last year report for the year 2009 to my Head Office here in Hammer smith and they will never know of this Excess. I have since then, placed this amount of 3.800,000.00 (Three Million, Eight Hundred Thousand British Pounds) on a SUSPENSE ACCOUNT without a beneficiary.

As an officer of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money that's why I am impelled to request for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account. I intend to part with 35% of this fund to YOU while 60% shall be for ME and 5% will be mapped out for expenses that may be incured. I don't need to stress that there are practically no risk involved in this, its 100% risk free. It is going to be a bank-to-bank transfer to your nominated bank account anywhere you feel safer.

All I need from you is to stand as the original depositor of this fund and your full co-operation to the end of this transaction. If you accept this offer, I will appreciate your timely response. You can contact me on my private e-mail:mrstevsss45@sify.com

Best regards,
Sir. Stevie Shawn

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