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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: eustace <alimabuba0@gmail.com>
Reply-To: okoroeustace@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:43:10 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: YOUR URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED




From: Mr okoro eustace,

Bill & Exchange Manager

Bank of Africa (BOA)

Burkina-Faso,West Africa.



Dear Friend,



I am contacting you in regards to a business transfer of a huge sum of money from a deceased customer's account. I decided to contact you due to the urgency of this transaction.



I discovered an abandoned sum of $35.8m dollars in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customers who died along with his entire family. Since his death, none of his relations has come forward to lay claims to this money as the heir. The bank cannot release the fund from his account unless someone applies for claim as the next of kin to the deceased as indicated in our banking guidelines. Upon this discovery, I now seek your permission to have you stand as a next of kin to the deceased as all documentations will be carefully worked out by me for the fund ($35.8m) to be released in your favor as the beneficiary's next of kin. Please acknowledge receipt of this message in acceptance of our mutual business endeavor by furnishing me with the following;



Your full name: .................

Your country: ...................

Your phone Number: .............

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

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

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



These requirements will enable us file a letter of claim to the appropriate departments for necessary approvals in your favor before the transfer can be made. I shall be compensating you with 40% on final conclusion of this project,while 50% will be for me and 10% will be for any expenses that may come up. Your share stays with you while my own share shall be for investment purposes in your country.If this proposal is acceptable by you,do not take undue advantage of the trust I have bestowed in you. Thanks for your understanding while I expect your urgent reply.



Best Regard,

Mr.okoro eustace

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