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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: "PHILIP MOORE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <philipmoore3@usa.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2004 23:00:47 +0800
Subject: FROM REGIONAL BANK

I am Philip Moore from United State of America.I would like you to know that i am the former regional manager of my bank branch in London but now in our headquarter in United States.BANK OF LONDON, I only hope we can assist each other. But If you don't want this business offer kindly forget it as I will not contact you again. I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit both of us. As the regional manager of my bank branch, I will state to you in detail upon your response. I want you to know that it is my duty to send in a financial report to my head office in the capital city at the end of each year.On the course of the last year report,I discovered that my branch in which I was the manager made Eight Million Two hundred thousand dollars($8,200.000.00) which my head office are not aware of and will never be aware of. I have since place this fund on what we call SUSPENSE ACCOUNT without any beneficiary.As an officer of the bank I cannot be directly connected to this money, so this triggered my c
Note there are practically no risk involved, it will be bank to bank transfer on a sequential installment transfer, all I need from you is to stand claim as the original depositor of this fund who made the deposit with our branch so that my Head office can order the transfer to your designated bank account. If you accept this offer to work with me, I will appreciate it very much. As soon as I receive your response I will give you details on how we can achieve it successfully with all the vital information to perfect the claim.philipmoore3@usa.com
Thanks
Philip

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