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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: "SGT ANTHONY JOHN" <james@mail.rt-mart.com.cn>
Reply-To: <sgt.johnanthony@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2011 00:55:08 -0800
Subject: i need your help very urgent

My name is Sgt John Anthony, I am an American soldier with Swiss background, serving in the military with the army's 3rd infantry division. With a very desperate need for assistance, I have summed up courage to contact you.
 
I found your contact particulars in an address journal. I am seeking your kind of assistance to move the sum of ( $ 25 Million U.S. Dollars) Twenty Five Million United State Dollars to you, as far as I can be assured that my share will be safe in your care until I complete my service here in Iraq, this is not a stolen money, and there are no danger involved.
 
Source of Money:
 
Some money in various currencies was discovered in barrels at a warehouse near one of Saddam's old palaces in Tikrit-Iraq during a rescue operation, and it was agreed by staff Sgt Mark Connelly and I that some part of this money will be shared among both of us, before informing anybody about it since both of us saw the money first.
 
You will find the story of this money on the web address below;
 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
 
The above figure was given to me as my share, and to conceal this kind of money became a problem for me, so with the help of a Africa contact working here and his office enjoy some immunity, I was able to get the package out to a safer location entirely out of trouble spot. he does not know the real contents of the package, and believes that it belongs to a African/American medical doctor who died in a raid here in Iraq, and before giving up, trusted me to hand over the package to his family.
 
Now this where you come in this if you are willing to assist me in this transaction, the money has been packaged as family valuables and it will be delivered to you in your country in two days, if you are willing to assist me in this venture you are advised to get back to me with your complete contact information which will be forwarded to the diplomatic agent who is carrying the said consignment to your door step.
 
He will contact you on your direct phone number from your international airport, after that the consignment will proceed to your home which is the final destination, note that it is not a must that you should assist me in this transaction but if you are willing and sincere to help me out in this transaction be rest assured that this transaction is 100% risk free and it does not contradict the laws of any country. Indicate your interest in
 
assisting me as well as Providing the following .information to facilitate the smooth conclusion of the Transaction:
 
1) Your Full Name:
2) Your Address:
3) Your Telephone Number:
4) Your Mobile Number:
5) Your Fax Number:
6) The Name of the Closest Airport to your City of Residence:
 
assistance you will give to me, God Bless You As You Help Out In This
 
Transaction.
Best Regards
Sgt John Anthony

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