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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: "Anthony Wilson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <a_n_t_wilson@aim.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 01:30:43 +0200
Subject: Hello

Hello,

Please be patient and read through my email as it will benefit us both. I am the lawyer to late Paul and Ann Goodrich who died 26th December 2012. You can confirm it through the link below.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-20843495

I have known the couple for over ten years. They have no next of kin or beneficiary. And i have been requested to provide a next of kin for the release of the inheritance in Natwest Bank, If i fail to produce a beneficiary the bank will keep the funds to themselves and marked as UNCLAIMED FUNDS. And i don’t want this to happen; this is why i seek your assistance. As i currently reside in spain, and want to have the funds released and transferred from the UK without further delay.

Since there is no one to make claims, i now seek your consent to present you as the next of kin/beneficiary to my late client. Upon completion, we would share the total amount 50% for you and 40% for me, while we will set aside 10% for any expenses incurred during the course of this transaction.

Please get in touch with me through my email and send the following information to me.
Full Names:
Age:
Postal Address
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:

With the above details/information i can start the legal release process of the funds. Please treat this transaction with utmost confidentiality and we can have it all concluded in two weeks from now.

Regards,
Anthony Wilson

Anti-fraud resources: