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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: "Tony Ken" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tonykennmr@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:08:05 -0700
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend ,
>From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria, your name was included on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payment. I wish to inform you that the payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in my file your outstanding contract payment is US$ 40.5 Million Dollars (Fourty Million, five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) only.
I am aware that you did not execute any contract with Nigeria Government, but based on my position as the Board Director of Wema Bank Plc ,I will assist you in getting the funds into your account as the contractor who executed the contract in order for us to benefit on the funds. In view of this development I seek your assistance to receive the said fund into your account based on your promptly response by following my instructions. It is 100 per cent risk free both now and in future. More importantly, the sharing method of the funds will be 50-50.
Therefore, if you are interested to work in hand to hand with me so that we can get the funds out from the ministries kindly confirm to me the following:
1) Your full name and address........................
2)Telephone and Fax Numbers.............................
3) Your Company's Name and Address.........................
4)Your Age and Position.....................................

As soon as these information is received, the payment will be made to you by Swift Wire Transfer by Wema Bank Plc kindly respond via this email for security of our transaction. ( tony_ken@rediffmail.com ) to enable us proceed further

Best Regards,
Mr Tony Ken

Anti-fraud resources: