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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: "Western Union Information Center" <info@wu.com>
Reply-To: wutransfercenter@msn.com
Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2012 17:14:53 -0300
Subject: Notice!!!

Good Day,

We have sent 9,000USD already through western union, as we are mandated to transfer you
the total sum of 300,000 USD through Western Union by the United Nations,(ECOWAS).Send
Names,Address, Phone number. Processing your first payment of $9,000USD to collect Sender
Names: Leunice Smith MTCN:7673440838


Contact: Mr. Phillip Howard
Direct Telephone: +2348154838694
E-mail: wutransfercenter@msn.com

Anti-fraud resources: