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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: "Martins" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <martins_anna@ymail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 02:20:34 +0100
Subject: ARE YOU HONEST TO THE CALL?

How are you Beloved

I am Anna Martins, I work as an accountant in BANCO LAICAIXA MADRID. SPAIN, I contacted you to work together with me in claiming my late client estate.Unfortunately he died without a registered next of kin and as such the funds now have an open beneficiary status. Reply me as soon as you receive this message for full details on the transaction.

Thanks for your assistance in advance.

Yours Sincerely,

MADAM ANNA MARTINS.
BANCO LAICAIXA MADRID,SPAIN
PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS: ann_martins@rocketmail.com
DIRECT PHONE NUMBER: + 34 698 606 320

Anti-fraud resources: