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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: "JOHN kuba" <jk000@glibmail.com.br>
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:58:11 -0500
Subject: Your Urgent Attention,

Mr.John Kuba
Cites des Arts,
Abidjan - Cote D'Ivoire

Your Urgent Attention,

Permit me to use this medium to write you; I am Mr.John
Kuba, I work with a prime bank here in Abidjan – Cote
d'Ivoire as a project and investment officer. I am writing
this letter on behalf of a client of the bank who owned
one of the largest farms in Ivory Coast (Cote
d'Ivoire).

The client, his wife and three children died in a fatal
road accident on their way to visit Ghana's ancient
museum. Since then I have made several inquiries to trace
the family or anyone with useful information about the
family. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to
trace the family name from the Internet Information
Program (IIP) to see if I can get any member of his family
and hence I come across your contact. My interest on this
matter is about the amount US$10, 850,000.00 United States
dollars which without early trace to the family the fund
would be confiscated by the bank.

My office was assigned and compelled the bank to find his
next of kin; however, since his wife and the supposed next
of kin were along with him in the unfortunate incident
that engulfed the entire family, it is obvious that the
bank will confiscating the deposit of the deceased in
the bank should nobody appears to claim the money within
this time. I wish to use professional manner to submit
your name as a relative to the deceased so that the
deposit will be paid to you should you agree
to devote honesty and good fate to handle this. Iassuredly
guarantee that this will be executed under all legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the
law inasmuch as we will share the
money 50/50.

Please provide me with your full Name and Address, Date of
birth, Telephone and Fax Number to enable me effect
change(s) where necessary to the bank for claim, reply is
very important to register your interest.

Cordially Yours,
Mr. John Kuba

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