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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: "Danko Mahama" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrgmahama@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:48:00 -0000
Subject: Mail From:Mr.George Danko Mahama

Dearest,

I have been in search of someone with this name so when I saw your name I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other. I am Mr.George Danko Mahama, I am IT manager of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana, Tema branch Ghana in West Africa. I believe it is the wish of God for me to come across you on now. I am having an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you because, it is in connection with your name and you are going to benefit from it.

The citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my bank, valued at US$ 5,400,000.00 (Five Million, Four Hundred Thousand US Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was this 16 of January 2009. Sadly was among the death victims in the Earthquake disaster in Jawa, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people. was in Indonesia on a business trip and that was how he met his end.

My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he was my friend and I am his account officer. He did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management requested that should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract.

I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to know that he is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their personal use, so I don’t want such to happen. That was why when I saw your name I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since you have the same name with him and my bank head quarters will release the account to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law.

I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own company which has been my dream. Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response

Your full name: ......

Your country: ......

Your phone Number: .......

Your Tel/fax: ................

Your age: .......................

Your occupation: ...................

The scan copy of your international passport......

Have a nice day and God bless.

Anticipating your communication.
Mr.George Danko Mahama

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