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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: BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION <diploeric@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: msanusigoverno@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:53:00 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Attention: Beneficiary,


BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION, REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
MR. ANTHONY SCOTT DEWAR (CMG),
CONSULAR, BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONS,
REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
Tel: +229 96059839
 
 
Attention: Beneficiary,
 
The British High Commission in  Benin Republic, Ghana and Burkinafaso received a report of scam against you and other British/US citizens, Malaysia, Etc. The countries of Nigeria, Benin Republic, Burkinafaso and Ghana have recompensed you following the meeting held with the four countries' Government and various countries' high commission for the fraudulent activities carried out by the four countries' Citizens.
 
Your name was among those scammed as listed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligent Unit (NFIU). A compensation has been issue out in ATM card to all the affected victims and has been already been in distribution to all the bearers. Your ATM card was among those that was reported undelivered as at on Friday and we wish to advise you to see to the instructions of the Committee to make sure you receive your draft immediately.
 
According to the number of applicants at hand, 184 Beneficiaries has been paid, half of the victims are from the United States, and we still have more 37 left to be paid the compensations of $2.5 million USD each. Your particulars was mentioned by one of the Syndicates who was arrested as one of their victims of the operations, you are hereby warned not to  communicate or duplicate this message to him for any reason whatsoever as the Benin secret service is already on trace of the other criminals.
 
So keep it secret till they are all apprehended. Other victims who have not been contacted can submit their application as well for scrutiny and possible consideration. NFIU further told us that the use of Nigeria and Ghana Couriers was abolished due to interception activities noticed in the above mentioned courier services in Benin, Nigeria and Ghana and thereby have made a concrete arrangement with the DHL Courier Company for a safe delivery to your door-step once the beneficiary meets up the demand of the conveyance.
 
We advise that you do the needful to make sure the NFIU dispatches your ATM card before Friday. You are assured of the safety of your ATM card and availability. Be advised that you should stop further contacts with all the fake lawyers and security companies who in collaboration scammed you. Get back to me immediately to check if the delivery date suits you. You are going to pay a fee valued $198 which is for the delivery of the ATM card to you and below is the confirmation of the address where to send the fee to;
 
Receiver Name.........Francis Joseph
City.........Cotonou
Country: Republic of Benin
Question: Safe?
Answer: Delivery.
Amount: $155 USD.
Mtcn...................
Senders Full Address
 
We await the confirmation of this fee immediately. For propel delivery we advice you to hold this transaction very confidential as the commissioners is not going to labor on whatever inconveniences you might oppose in the transaction if you eventually expose this transaction to the public.
 
For verbal clarification please call: +229 96059839
Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.
 MR. ANTHONY  SCOTT DEWAR (CMG),
CONSULAR, BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONS
REPUBLIC OF BENIN

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