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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: "Barr Gordon Campbell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gordongcampbell@lawyer.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:49:54 -0000
Subject: LISTED AS A BENEFCIARY

Dear Friend

After five years of waiting the crown (British government) has given me the power to contact you so that you become the beneficiary to total amount £15,000,000.00 GBP in the intent of the deceased who died without a will.

I am contacting you because I believe you are related. Please if you are interested respond immediately with your full names, physical address and cell number.

Yours Truly,

Barr Gordon Campbell

Anti-fraud resources: