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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: "DENIS MIKE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <denismike18@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:41:45 +0400
Subject: Fund Transfer Details For Claim

FROM: DENIS MIKE
EMAIL: denismike18@yahoo.com
Hello,
 
 
God bless you.
 
I have tried to reach you on Skype phone, but your line was busy, so I decided to write you this message.  I have been in search of someone with this last name "-----", so when I saw you online, I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other. I am a Bank Officer here in U. A. E. I believe it is the wish of God for me to come across you 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 last name and you are going to benefit from it.
One Late ENGR.NELSON ----, a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2005 for 60 calendar months, valued at US$26.800,000.00 the due date for this deposit contract was on 22nd of February 2010.  Sadly ENGR.NELSON was among the death victims in the May 26 2006 Earthquake disaster in Jawa, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people.  He was in Indonesia on a business trip and that was how he met his untimely 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.  ENGR. NELSON 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 NELSON 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 t
We can as well discuss this on phone; let me know when you will be available to speak with me on Skype. Have a nice day and God bless.
 
Anticipating your urgent communication.
DENIS MIKE
 

Anti-fraud resources: