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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: "Dr. Peter Edward Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <peteredwardjohnson@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2012 16:23:07 -0700
Subject: From Dr. Peter Edward Johnson!

>From Dr. Peter Edward Johnson,
Computer & IT Director
Royal Bank of Scotland,Liverpool
Branch office London.

How are you doing?

The internet has been grossly abused by scam artist and miscreants whose intention is to hurt. In as much as one should be careful, same time we should not allow negative to kill the positive potential in a realistic business.

I have chosen to reach you because I felt that business is taking risk, going from the known to the unknown.

I am Dr. Peter Edward Johnson, Staff of Royal Bank of Scotland, Liverpool Branch office London.

I will need your cooperation to immediately effect the sum of US$125 Million (One Hundred and Twenty-Five Million United States Dollars Only) into your account.

Kindly get back to me so that i can give you the full details of this transaction for better understanding.

Await your prompt response.

Sincerely,
Peter Edward Johnson,
Computer & IT Director
Royal Bank of Scotland, Liverpool
Branch office London.

Anti-fraud resources: