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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 Wilson Leo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <treasurygcb@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 03:30:53 +0100
Subject: CONFIDENTIALITY AND TRUST NEEDED

Attention: Sir/Madam,
The content of this message is highly classified and confidential so  please treat with some privacy. My name is Mr Wilson Leo a business  consultant in Ghana, I write to seek your cooperation and assistance in  the receipt of USD$48.5m Belonging to a late client of mine who shares the  same last/surname with you, so kindly response if you are capable of  handling and receiving such fund into your country without any government  interference.
More details concerning the transfer will be given to you once you confirm  interest.Get back to me by email on treasurygcb@msn.com. I will also  like to know how convenient it will be for you coming down here to meet  with me for a heart to heart discussion regarding my proposal to you.
Thank you.
Regards,
Mr Wilson Leo
Indicate

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