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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: "Dr. Martins Iburu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <driburu@sify.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:05:36 -1200
Subject: Transfer Notification

Dr. Martins Iburu
Director,
Foreign Reserve Escrow Account Officer
Central Bank of Nigeria
Annex office, London


We need to confirm from you if Credit Suisse Cie SA,Zurich,Switzerland has credited your account
the approved amount of US$10Million dollars as instructed by Central Bank of Nigeria.

The African Union has instructed for an immediate transfer of all beneficiarie whose names and emails
contain your money to your account.

We will be obliged to confirm from you if you have received the money from Credit Suisse Cie SA to enable us
close your file and put our record straight.

Thanks for the anticipated cooperation.

Dr. Martins Iburu
Director,
Foreign Reserve Escrow Account Officer
Central Bank of Nigeria
Annex office, London

Anti-fraud resources: