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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union Holdings Inc. <wumt00147@administrativos.com>
Date: 22 Aug 2011 16:40:44 +0000
Subject: You have 1 unread Message!

Dear Western Union member,


You have 1 unread Message!


Your Western Union Account is currently locked.


As a security measure you must provide your credit card cvv ( the last 3 digits on the back of your card ) to unlock your account.


Click here to resolve the problem.


Western Union Holdings, All Rights Reserved.

Anti-fraud resources: