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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: "L.F" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mgraha@post.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2012 17:25:00 +0100
Subject: Your consent

Leo Fernandez
1/3 Heriot Road, Hendon,
London NW4 2EG.
 
Dear Friend,
 
Top of the day. I am contacting with regards to an estate belonging to my deceased client, who may be related to you and since you bear the same last name I decided to contact you about this unclaimed deposits as i am the principal account officer to his account.
 
For further correspondence,kindly re-confirm the requested details:Names in full,marital stauts,direct telephone and fax numbers.
 
I shall await your response to give you a more detailed feedback.
 
Best Regards,
 
Leo Fernandez

Anti-fraud resources: