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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: "Zest Capital Finance" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zestcf@aim.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 18:58:48 +0200
Subject: Better offer

Zest Capital Finance
London,
United Kingdom.


Hello,
We are giving out a special New Year loan at 2% interest rate.
No matter what your loan needs are, If you apply today, you
would receive the loan in 5days time.

Send a reply for details

Sincerely
Zest Capital Finance


Anti-fraud resources: