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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: "Mr. Wilson Koh" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrwilson-koh@i12.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 02:39:32 -0700
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE

Good day!

My name is Mr. Wilson Koh, trained and working as Treasury and Markets Officer
in the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS).I write to contact you about
inheritance claim of some exorbitant amount belonging to a Foreigner (investor)
who died here in Singapore; name withheld for security reasons.

In pursuant of the above plan, we choose you in this transaction especially
because you bear the same last NAME with the said Investor. However you shall
be handsomely rewarded for your assistance and co-operation in this
transaction; as my colleagues and I have collectively agreed to allocate 20% of
the total funds for your role. We intend to establish a joint venture in any
high yielding business portfolio in your country if you can help claim and
receive the funds from our bank, Development Bank Singapore.

However, if you are interested in carrying out this deal, you are advised to
email me the following information as stated below in order to draw an
Agreement between us so that we can immediately commence on the process on how
the funds will be released to you as the Next of Kin:

I. RE-CONFIRM YOUR FULL NAMES:
ii. CONTACT ADDRESS:
iii. DATE OF BIRTH:
iv. TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBER:
v. OCCUPATION:

Upon your reply I shall furnish you with more details.

Best regards,

Mr. Wilson Koh

Anti-fraud resources: