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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: "SHERPPARD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drleefredo2@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2013 07:10:34 +0100
Subject: THIS IS YOUR TURN NOW

I am MENEZES RICE Director Inspection Unit, United Nations Inspection Agent here in North Carolina USA. During our investigation, I discovered that there is a fund in your name that needs to be released to you but due to some obstacles, you have not received it. The details of the fund including your name, the official document from United Nation office in London are NOT tagged on the document of the fund, which details will be forwarded to you upon receipt of your respond so get to us here;;; cleraranceoffice@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: