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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: Ken Gabriel <kengabriel@freenet.lu>
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2011 03:04:49 -0500
Subject: Reply quickly.

Hello dear,
I feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business. Though
this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, but i choose to reach
you through it because it still remains the fastest medium of
communication.
Do accept my sincere apology if my mail does not meet your personal ethics.
My name is Ken Gabriel I work with a BANK in United Kingdom. Some
years ago I was attending a business luncheon in Berlin, Germany where
i met a German based business man.
Then some months later we met again in London, where I assisted him to
make a (Fixed) Deposit of ($19M) in my bank. My purpose of inviting
you into this business is simply to appoint you as the next of kin to
a deceased fund which will qualify you to receive the funds in your
country for our mutual benefits.
I discovered that my client was aboard the German Concorde Air Flight
which crashed, killing all passengers on board and including his wife
and only two children.
Please click here for more details
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
After years of investigations, all attempts to trace any of his
relatives proved fruitless, as it was discovered that the depositor
did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official
documents.
My dear I want to present you as the beneficiary of my late client so
that the huge amount could be released on your favor. Then we can
share the amount 50-50. All legal documents to back up the claim as my
client's next-of-kin will be provided. All I require is your honest
cooperation to enable us see this transaction through with ease. This
will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. Most
importantly, i implore you to keep this matter extraordinary
confidential. I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this
e-mail as soon as possible.
I am waiting for your swift response.
Warm regards,
Mr. Ken Gabriel
+44 7031930916.





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