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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: "MRS VERONICA WEBLEDOM" <veronica041@live.com>
Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 22:44:23 -0200
Subject: Re. GREETINGS

BELOVED,

GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. I AM MRS  VERONICA MICHEALS Wembledon, A WIDOW TO LATE MR MICHEAL Wembledon FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM,SUFFERING FROM LONG TIME CANCER OF THE BREAST, FROM ALL INDICATION MY CONDITIONS IS REALLY DETERIORATING AND IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT I MIGHT NOT LIVE UP TO  2 MONTHS, ACCORDING TO MY DOCTORS,
THIS IS BECAUSE THE CANCER STAGE HAS GOTTEN TO A VERY BAD STAGE.MY LATE HUSBAND DIED LAST FIVE YEARS,AND DURING THE PERIOD OF OUR MARRIAGE WE COULD'NT PRODUCE ANY CHILD.MY LATE HUSBAND WAS VERY WEALTHY AND AFTER HIS DEATH, I INHERITED ALL HIS BUSINESS AND WEALTH. THE DOCTORS HAS ADVISED ME THAT I MAY NOT LIVE FOR MORE THAN 2 MONTHS, SO I NOW DECIDED TO DIVIDE THE PART OF THIS WEALTH, TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHARITY HOMES AND LESS PRIVILEDGE IN OUR SOCIETY.
  I AM WILLING TO DONATE THE SUM OF 25,000.000.00U.GBP(TWENTY FIVE MILLION GREAT BRITISH POUNDS) TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED. PLEASE I WANT YOU TO NOTE THAT FUND IS LYING IN A BANK IN UNITED KINGDOM. ONCE I HEAR FROM YOU, I WILL FORWARD TO YOU ALL THE INFORMATIONS YOU WILL USE TO GET THIS FUND. I HONESTLY PRAY THAT THIS MONEY WHEN IN YOUR POSSESSION WILL BE USED FOR THE SAID PURPOSE.

YOUR SISTER IN CHRIST.
MRS VERONICA MICHEAL
veronica041@live.com

Anti-fraud resources: