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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: Nelson Mandela <hlttr12@gmail.com>
Reply-To: nelsonmandela970@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2013 16:38:32 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Fund for charity works




Greetings,

I am old and sick of lung infection.I want to distribute my fund for charity works. Let me know if you can assist me.My fund ($10.5 Million USD) which no one knows about is  deposited  in a  Finance institution in West Africa. I will want you to help me collect this fund and dispatch it to charity organizations of your choice. I have set aside 20% for your time and effort.I will also explain myself properly in my subsequent email.

God bless you,
Mr.Nelson Mandela

Anti-fraud resources: