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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: "Joseph Niyami." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <josephniyami@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2011 19:06:56 -0000
Subject: I NEED OF YOUR PROMPT REPLY

 
I NEED OF YOUR PROMPT REPLY
Dear friend,
I am Joseph Niyami, from Republic of Sudan . I worked as head of operations in the Ministry of Energy & Mining and I supervised a contract that was awarded to a firm worth several millions a few years ago. In the course of executing the project the firm discovered large gold deposit in one of the construction sites.
 
Being the site director I worked with the firm in the mining of the gold on a mutual agreement to share the proceeds out of which I got a substantial amount of money.
Because I refused to cooperate with the government in executing and sponsoring their evil war, I cannot introduce this fund into the banking system here in my country, Sudan.
 
If the current government in Sudan gets hold of this money, they would only use it to further support their evil deed and crimes against humanity. I have decided to move this fund out for any profitable venture. The fund will be moved out of Sudan under diplomatic cover as soon as we conclude all procedure.
 
 
I therefore solicit for your co-operation to take delivery of this fund into your custody for any profitable investment that will be mutually beneficial. I will be able to arrange all necessary procedures to ensure smooth movement of this funds until you are in control of it.
 
Please let me know if you are interested by return email and also include your full names and contact telephone number to enable me call you when it is convenient. I will provide you with more information as soon as you indicate appreciable interest.
 
Regards,
Joseph Niyami.

Anti-fraud resources: