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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: "BILLY SAGALE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <billysagale@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:02:48 -0500
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT

Greetings to you,
 
It is my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I hope you will be able to assist out.Actually I am the protection clerk of the Liberia refugee camp here in Accra,Ghana.
 
I have been approached by young boy called Larry Weah and his sick mother to assist them look for a reliable receiver to receive their family box which was sent to Malaysia 2 weeks ago,
 
the diplomat was suppose to deliver the box to their family partner in Malaysia,on getting there it was discover that the partner was dead.
 
His lawyer has given us the right to look for a new person to receive the box from the diplomat in Malaysia.
 
If you can assist the family pick up this box from the diplomat in Malaysia,then reply to me immediately,as the family is very worried that they might lost $10,000,000.00 USD(TEN MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS)
 
which is in the box.The family says you will be given 10% if you can assist them receive the consignment box on their behalf.You will also help them to buy a house and invest in your country for a percentage fee.
 
Reply back with the following details below:
 
1) Full Names
2) Contact Address
3) Contact phone numbers
4) city
5) Scan copy of ID if any.
 
I will be waiting for your prompt response.
 
Regards,
Mr Billy Sagale

Anti-fraud resources: