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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: John Eban <johneban@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: johneban1@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:49:42 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: From JOHN...........


>From JOHN...........
 
My dear,
 
Permit me to inform you of my desire of going into business relationship with you. I am quite aware that my message will come to you as a surprise because it is indeed very strange for someone you have not met before to contact you in this regard. I am John Eban the only son of late Chief and Mrs. Daniel Eban. My father was a very wealthy Gold dealer and Cocoa merchant in Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory Coast. My father was poisoned to death by his business associates collided with my father's bothers (my Uncles) on one of their outings on a business trip.
 
My mother died when I was still a baby and since then my father took me so special. Before the death of my father in a private hospital here in Abidjan he secretly called me on his bed side and told me that he has the sum of Six million, four hundred thousand United State Dollars. (USD6,400,000.00)left in bank here in Abidjan,and he used my name as his only son for the next of Kin in depositing of the funds.
 
He further explained to me that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates and his brothers, that I should seek a foreign partner in a country of my choice where I will transfer this money and use it for investment purpose such as real estate or hotel management. Dear, I am honourably seeking your assistance in the following ways:
(1) To help me rieve the fund in bank.
(2) To serve as a guardian of this fund since I am only 19years.
(3) To help me come over to your country to further my education and also to secure a resident permit in your country.
Moreover dear one, I am willing to offer you 15% of the total sum as in showing appreciation towards your efforts and to cover any expense you incur in getting this transaction achieved. Please indicate your willingness to assist me as I believe that this transaction would be concluded within seven (7) days you signify your interest to assist me.
 
Anticipating hearing from you urgently.
 
Thanks and God bless.
 
Yours in need,
 
John Eban.
 
  
 

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