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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.NIL OWEN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <owen.nil@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:38:31 -0700
Subject: Sir/Madam................

Sir/Madam,

I write to you based on a request for an investment option in your countryby a high profile clients of mine My name is Mr.Nil Owen, I'm a businessdeveloper in my Country.

My reason for contacting you is that I have an urgent need to invest somefund amounting to US$15,500,000.00 (Fifthen million,five hundred thousandUnited States dollars) into small business in your country for a client ofmine.What he requested is an individual such as yourself, who will bewilling to put this money to good use for a period of 3 years for a start.

He is offering you these terms.

1.5% will be paid to you as an administrator of the total fund to be managed.

2. The fund will be used by you as a foreign Administrator and re profilethe fund as a loan without any interest. That is, you do not pay anyinterest on the money, but you will give him 50% of all profits after taxthat will accrue from the use of the fund.

If these terms are agreeable to you, kindly let me know and I will provide you with other necessary information.

Waiting for your reply message.

PLEASE KINDLY REPLY TO MY ALTERNATE EMAIL ADDRESS owen.nil@gmail.com

Best Regards,

Mr.Nil Owen.,
For: Argus Brokers Ltd London.

Anti-fraud resources: