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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: "World Bank Auditors" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <worldbankauditors@terra.com.ve>
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 06:39:11 -0700
Subject: Fund Beneficiary //?

Cash payment of USD2.5M to be deliver at your door step.


Dear Beneficiary,

Reference to recent meeting held by the World Financial Bodies in conjunction with the Apex Bank of Nigeria. It was unnanimously resolved that World Bank Auditorsitors will be in charge for payment of all outstanding contracts, inheritance and lottery payment in Nigeria.

I wish to inform you that your email appeared among the 100 lucky beneficiaries who will receive a compensation of USD2.5M [Two Million Five Hundred Dollars] each from United Nation and World Bank Compensation Program on Scam Victims [UNWBCP]

Do reconfirm the following, your full Name, address, private and cell telephone number to enable easy delivery to your door step in cash.

Upon your confirmation of your receipt of this mail, we shall forward the traveling schedule of our delivering crew to you.

Yours truly

Ms Mary Williams

Director of Payment/ Special Duties
World Bank Auditors

Anti-fraud resources: