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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: salisu lamido <sallamido@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:24:51 -0700
Subject: INHERITANCE NOTIFICATION

From The Desk Of Dr.Dr.Sanusi Lamido.
Auditing Department Banque Internationale
Pour l'Afrique au Togo
Togo in West Africa

Good day my dear,

My name is Dr.Dr.Sanusi Lamido ,I am the head of auditing and accounting
section Banque Internationale Pour l'Afrique au Togo in West Africa. With
due respect and regard, I have decided to contact you on a business
transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end.During our
investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came across a very
huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on 26th December
2004 in the Tsunami that happened in Sumatra island, Indonesia. From the
information that our bank has gotten so far, the Tsunami killed him with his
entire family. Up till now, no other relation has been identified.

The person that he used as his next of kin was his 17 year old daughter who
died along side the family. Although personally, I keep this information
secret within myself to enable the whole plans and idea be profitable and
successful during the time of execution. The said amount was (U.S$9.4
Million United States Dollars).

I thereby contact you, to:

(1) Assist me in the transfer of the said fund into your account.

(2) Confirm your direct telephone and Fax for our communication.

Meanwhile, all the arrangement to put claim over this fund, as the
beneficiary next of kin to the deceased, as well as getting the required
approval and transferring this money to a foreign account, has been put in
place. I will relay directives and needed information to you, as soon as you
indicate your interest and willingness to assist me, and also benefit your
self with this great business opportunity.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On
smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 40% of the
total sum as gratification, while 10% will be set aside to take care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills, while 50% will be for me. Please, I advise you to keep this as a "top
secret" as I am still in service and intend to retire from service after I
conclude this deal with you. I hope to hear from you as soon as possible for
further information.

Yours faithfully,
Dr.Sanusi Lamido.

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