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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: "Mr.Harry Jonathan" <isaac_david113@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: bank_america@excite.co.uk
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:41:24 +0100 (BST)
Subject: As soon as you contact Bank of America you confirm your $1.2M without any hintch.





Dear Sir/Madam,
  
This is to inform you that management of Eco bank Benin Republic  have waited very long but  did not hear from you about your 1.2M compensation fund.
 
In respect of above information,  Eco Bank management here in Benin Republic concluded  to wire your $1.2M to you through bank of America so that you will receive the funds  as soon as you contact bank of America via E-mail: bank_america@excite.co.uk   Or Phone +15103074590
As soon as you contact Bank of America you confirm  your $1.2M without any hintch.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
 Mr.Harry Jonathan 
 Eco bank Benin
 COTONOU BENIN
 REPUBLIC OF WEST AFRICA
 

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