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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: ROBERT <millerrobert01@rocketmail.com>
Reply-To: millerrobert03@rocketmail.com
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:06:40 -0700
Subject: GREETINGS FROM ROBERT, KABUL.


Hello,

I want to trust you with this classified and confidential information.
Before I continue, let me introduce myself to you, I am Cpt. Robert
Miller, the commander of the Special NATO coalition force with the
United Nation troops in Afghanistan. I have now in my possession the sum
of USD 6Million which I recovered from one of our numerous raids here in
Afghanistan.

This box of money has been deposited with the Red cross society here in
Kabul as a diplomatic luggage for safe keep and to make contacts for its
proper use. As the team leader, it is under my power to approve whoever
comes forth for this money.

So I need someone I can deal with on trust and that is why I contacted
you. As soon as I get your response, I will put you forward as the owner
of the money and then move the money to you. As a military personnel, I
cannot parade such an amount or carry it to my country so I need to
present someone as the beneficiary. I just need your acceptance and all
is done. I have a 100% sure means of moving the money through Red Cross
to you.

Once I confirm your interest and your positive reply, I will proceed to
register your name as the owner of the luggage. This money is my life
and I am willing to give you 40% of the total sum when the money is
delivered to you. I wait your response so we can proceed immediately. In
less than five days the money should be in your safe custody.

The only telephone access we have is radio message which is for our
general use and is being monitored. Therefore all communication will be
via email until we finish our assignment here and fly straight to your
country to meet you.

Regards,

Cpt. Robert Miller

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