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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: Maxine Leroy <maxine.leroy@yahoo.ca>
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2011 05:05:17 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: NICE TO MEET YOU



It is with my great pleasure to meet you, how is life with you over there, Do not surprise on how i manage to laid hands on your e-mail address, it's through machine search. I will like you be my pen pals friend, am a Canadian Citizen,maxine leroy by name, 27 years old this coming September 18th, a single lady. Incase you have interest in my short introduction, please get back to me with this e-mail address; maxine.leroy@yahoo.ca or you can forward me your email address ,Then i can forward you my full background on all you need to know about me and my parent along with my pictures.
 Till i read from you,
Cheers.
MAXINE LEROY

Anti-fraud resources: