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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: "Robert Reid" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <robertreid.hhocuk@oho.ee>
Date: Sun, 5 Jun 2011 19.46.04 +0200
Subject: FROM HOC LONDON UK

ATTN

This is to inform you that your funds worth $1,825,000.00 which was approved by the United Nations in your name and is ready to be transferred via online banking system from the paying bank and they will create your account lo-gin which you shall use to access your account via online banking.

Once you get back to me the paying bank will send you your account lo-gin for your immediate transfer of the funds above to your account in your country from the comfort of your home or office computer. Please re-confirm your NAME, ADDRESS, AGE , OCCUPATION AND DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBER for processing.

I wait to hear from you urgently.

Best Regards,
Robert Reid.
HOUSE OF COMMON LONDON-UK.
Email: robertreid@gsi-gov.com

Anti-fraud resources: