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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: michael kwame <michael_kwame@email.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 18:17:19 -0800 (PST)
Subject: URGENT RESPOND IS NEEDED PLEASE


Dear Sir/Madam,
 
Thank you for taking out time to read this message despite all the spam around. I am Michael Kwame from Ghana and my dear wife is very sick. She has been diagnosed with a brain tumor so I want to give her the best treatment available. She is in critical condition and I have limited time to raise money to take her overseas for treatment.
 
I am an auditor in a bank in Ghana and there is an unclaimed fund in an escrow account whose owner died years ago. I am searching for someone who can receive this money into his account by standing as the relative of the deceased.
 
The deceased has no living family hence there is no risk whatsoever. You will earn 40% of the total funds within five (5) working days for your partnership.
 
I'll furnish you with more details upon getting your immediate response.
 
Sincerely
Michael Kwame

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