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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: "National Security Agency (NSA)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nsa@mail.mn>
Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:59:15 +0100
Subject: National Security Agency (NSA).

 
National Security Agency (NSA) Headquarters.
http://www.nsa.gov
 
Firstly, my name is LTG Keith B. Alexander (Director, National Security Agency). We are contacting you today because we are taking over your Online Safety. We all know that rate of fraudsters and scammers online are so much that we all receive 200 messages per day claiming to be the Federal Bureau of Investigation or a Government Worker in Nigeria. All those stories are lies used by fraudsters to extract money from people.
 
Right now, we are dealing with the President of Nigeria and the Issuing Bank Of your Fund. With this, we are 100% able to deliver your funds to you without further delays. In-order to deliver your funds to you, we need your Full co-operation, understanding and Mutual Trust.
 
Therefore, stop further communication with any firm, offices or individual so you can successfully receive your funds. Get back to me as soon as you read this so I can direct and instruct you on how to receive your funds from the legal Issuing Bank.
 
Director, National Security Agency
Chief, Central Security Service
LTG Keith B. Alexander, USA.

Anti-fraud resources: