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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: Sam Okudzeto <samokudzeto@globomail.com>
Reply-To: <samokudzeto@superposta.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2013 00:27:17 +0000
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE*

From The Desk of :Barrister Sam Okudzeto.
Barrister Sam Okudzeto.
Principal Partner,
SENA CHAMBERS.
MOBILE HOUSE,
LIBERIA ROAD,
PO BOX AN 5520,
ACCRA,GHANA.
 
URGENT ASSISTANCE.
 
Dear Friend,
 
I am Sam Okudzeto., Personal Attorney to the late Mr. A. Fred, A foreign construction engineer who was resident here in Ghana . My client died with his family while on Vacation in Japan on 11 March 2011, in Japan Earth Quake Disaster (TSUNAMI DISASTER), View Website Above;
 
http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2011/japan.tsunami/index.html
 
On March 2011, I received a phone call as his personal Attorney which broke the tragic news of my clients death in the Earth Quake / Tsunami disaster. Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of his extended relatives. This has proved unsuccessful; I got your contact from the United Nation Chambers and Commerce.
 
After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the internet hence I contacted you. I seek your consent and assistance in repatriating money left behind by my late client before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where the deposit is lodged. The deposit is valued US$39,000,000.00 (thirty -Nine Million United States Dollars only) and it is lodged with one of the International Bank in Ghana .
 
The bank has issued me an ultimatum to present a next-of-kin of the deceased to inherit the funds or have the account declared serviceable two weeks ago. The board of directors of his bank adopted a resolution and I was mandated to provide his next of kin for the payment of this money within 28 working days or forfeit the money to the bank as an abandoned property. The bankers had planned to invoke the abandoned property decree of 1996 to confiscate the funds after the expiration of the period given to me.
 
I hereby seek your consent to present you to the bank as next-of-kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued US$39,000,000.00 can be transferred to you as inheritance, and thereafter you and me will share the money; 45% to me and 50% to you, while 5% will be donated to the Tsunami Disaster Charity Fund.
 
I have necessary legal documents that will be used to support claim of the inheritance from the bank. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see the transaction through. I guarantee that the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
To commence the process of claiming the funds, I will require the following information from you, before I can send you the Deposit Certificate of Funds with me.
 
1.Your Full names.
2.Your Telephone and fax numbers.
3.Your Contact address.
4.Your Date of birth.
5.Your Occupation.
 
As soon as I receive these information I will file-in a formal application to the bank for the inheritance in your name as next-of-kin of the deceased. That will enable the bank to process the transaction with you as beneficiary and remit the funds in your name as (Inheritor).
Thank you.
 
Yours faithfully,
Barrister Sam Okudzeto.
Principal Partner,
SENA CHAMBERS.

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