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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: "HarryPely" <harrypely111@centrum.cz>
Date: Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:53:05 +0200
Subject: Urgent Assistance..


NO 7  DUBE STREET,
     DURBAN 400,     
    SOUTH AFRICA
   
  
ATTENTION: THE PRESIDENT


Dear Sir / Madam


I am the Principal Auditor of Department of Minerals and Energy support of South Africa, Kwa zulu-Natal Branch.  I have in my possession the sum of US$15, 5 million for transfer into a reliable and dependable foreign account.  The above sum is an over estimated / surplus amount of recent contract awarded to a foreign firm.  Meanwhile, the original contractor has been paid.  I now seek your assistance for the easy transfer of this excess fund as the beneficiary to enable me put claim on the above sum.


Furthermore, I will give you 30% of the total sum for your assistance and 5% will be mapped put as refund for any local and international expenses incurred during the transaction and the remaining 65% will be for my investment in your country.
Finally, you are expected to call me back immediately so that I will fax you supplementary agreement on payment where you are expected to fill in your bank information where you want the fund to go to and then fax it back to me.
I will meet you in person as soon as the fund arrives in your account and if you have any questions, kindly sent a mail to my personal Email for clarification of issues.
Best regards
Harry pely

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