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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: "Mrs Margriet Bernhard" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <deabogado@aim.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:20:20 -0700
Subject: Dearly Beloved

Dearly Beloved,

My name is Margriet Bernhard a dying woman who has decided to donate what i have
to you/church. I am 69 years old; I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer 2years
after the death of my husband who has left me everything he owned. My has
doctors told me i will not live long because of my health, that is why i decided
to WILL/donate my money to you for the good work of humanity, to help the
motherless, less privilege and also for the assistance of the widows.

Here are the Contact details of my lawyer:
Notario & Tribunal
Mr.Martinez Pedro
Phone:+34-687-665-538
Email : deabogado@aim.com

I have notified him about you. I know i don't know you but i have been directed
to do this. I wish you all the best and please use the money well and always
remember to extend the good work to others.
Yours,
Margriet Bernhard

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