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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: "Mr. Collins Odike" <webofficoffinance@gmail.com>
Reply-To: odikecollins1@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:47:39 +0100 (BST)
Subject: YOUR (ATM CARD) IS READY NOW




Attention Valued Customer

Be informed that United Nations, International Monetary Fund and World Bank have proposed to compensate you with the US$5,5M, as one of the scam victims.Your email was found in the list of emails forwarded to us for immediate compensation.

However, we have adopted online banking and Automated Teller Machine (ATM CARD) as two modes of payments for this payment exercise.

You are advised to furnish us with your full name, Residential address, your direct phone and fax number and also indicate the mode of payment you what to use in receiving your payment.
Regards
Mr. Collins Odike.
United Nations Payment

Anti-fraud resources: