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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: Peter Kin <peterkin_x20@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: kin_drpeter@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 23:40:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: YOUR SWIFT CREDIT CARD PAYMENT


 
 

Attn: Sir/Madam,
 It was resolved and agreed that your inheritance/Contract & Lottery/Award Winning fund would be released on a special method of payment. You will confirm your long unclaimed funds through SWIFT CREDIT CARD or BANK (T.T). Please kindly send your FULL NAME, CONTACT ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER, AGE/OCCUPATION & YOUR NEXT OF KIN FULL NAME AND CONTACT ADDRESS, to enable you claim your long unclaimed funds. Regards, Dr Peter Kin
 
SWIFT CREDIT CARD PAYMENT SYSTEM VALUED AT $10 MILLION DOLLARS ONLY

Anti-fraud resources: