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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: "Senator Bob Oteh" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sen.boboteh1@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2011 03:58:53 -0700
Subject: RE: TRANSFER OF YOUR UNCLAIMED FUND.

Attn: Beneficiary.
 
 
RE: TRANSFER OF YOUR UNCLAIMED FUND.
 
 
Be informed that the appropriate authority has approved your unclaimed fund and it's ready for transfer, you are advised to respond so that the entire plan regarding the transfer will be related to you and to your Bank.
 
Remember to furnish us with all transaction details for re-upgrading in our database for immediate instruction to our oversea correspondent bank for urgent release of your unclaimed fund to you.
 
We have arranged for you to receive your fund through our correspondent bank, all arrangement has been concluded.
 
We expect to hear from you.
 
 
Thanks.
 
 
Senator Bob Oteh OON
Special Adviser to the President
On Foreign Payment/Transfer
234-7037872638

Anti-fraud resources: