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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: "GLADYS RICHARDS" <gladysrichards@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2013 03:34:48 -0200
Subject: I NEED YOUR KIND HELP




Dear Friend,


My name is Glady Richards a merchant in Dubai, in the U.A.E.I have been
diagnosed with Esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical
treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according
to medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never
really cared for anyone(not even myself) but my business. Though I am very
rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused
on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all
this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to
have or make all the money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second
chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I
have lived it. Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my
property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a
few close friends. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so, I
have decided to give also to charity organizations, as I want this to be one
of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to
some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria and Malaysia. Now that my
health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once
asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the
money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan,
they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them
anymore, as they seem not to be contented with what I have left for them. The
last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of two
million dollars $2,000,000,00 that I have with a finance/Security Company
abroad. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to
charity organizations. I have set aside 10% for your time and service. Please
reply me with honesty as soon as you receive this mail. God be with you.

Best Regards,

Mrs.Gladys Richards.



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