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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: "Jim Steven" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <oilfirmc1@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 14:14:33 -0800
Subject: GET BACK TO ME IMMEDIATELY

How are you today?

This email was not sent to you by error please get back to me immediately.

On the debt liquidation file of the United Nations, I saw your email for UNPAID sun of $5MILLION that has been approved and endorsed by the Federal Minister Of Finance on the ongoing debt settlement scheme. I am very courageous to inform you about this because I believe you have no idea of this fund.

I will assist you in claiming this money. However, you will pay me 30% for the services rendered on conclusion of this transaction. I am a legal attorney to the Central Bank and I will help you to file in a payment application and process your papers until the fund hits your account but you will write an agreement with me that you will pay me 30% on completion of this claim.

If you are ready to claim your fund, please get back to me and I will give you more details and how we can proceed. I assure you, your fund will get to your acount in no distant time as the U.S Government is in charge of your payment now.

Yours faithfully
Jim Steven

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Anti-fraud resources: