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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: "From Mr.Bill Thomas" <william_tom577@yahoo.co.in>
Reply-To: "From Mr.Bill Thomas" <bill_thomas788@yahoo.ca>
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:01:10 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT/REPLY IMMEDIATELY




 
Dear Good Friend,


My name is Mr.Bill Thomas, The Chief accountant in our bank, i have 6.5musd that our bank will release and transfer to your account under seven working days because you have the same last name with our late depositor.


More details will be given to you as soon as i hear from you. I suggest you contact me through my private email address bill_thomas788@yahoo.ca


Yours Sincerely,


Mr. Bill Thomas

Anti-fraud resources: