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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: "Miss Hellen Atta" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <miss.hellenatta@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Aug 2013 10:40:48 -0000
Subject: CAN I TRUST YOU?

 
Miss.Hellen Atta.
12 BP 1046 Gm Tukpa Road
Cotonou, Benin Republic.
 
Greetings,
 
I am a deaf girl and the only Daughter of late Mr. and Mrs. Atta. My father was a highly successful business man who deals mainly on COCOA and its by products for export to Europe and Asia markets. As a successful businessman, my father was always on the road meeting cocoa farmers and traveling overseas for business meetings and exploiting new markets.
 
It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad on 3rd June 2012.Though his sudden death was mysterious or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle also a business partner of his who traveled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 6 years old and since then my father took care of me so special and never remarry.
 
Before his death on June 3rd 2012, he called the attorney who accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of US $28,500,000(TWENTY EIGHT MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) left in a security company .He further told him that he deposited the money with my name as the next of kin,. I am a deaf girl just 29 years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do, Now I want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds and after the transaction I will come over and by your help I could settle down and plan my future.
 
This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in West Africa. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards, I wish to invest under your care please. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded But permit me to ask these few questions:
 
1. Can you honestly help me as you would do to your own relation?
2. Can I completely trust you as a reliable person? .
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the money has been transferred into your account for an investment in your country?
 
Moreover, while I continue with my education, I will like to invest my money into any  lucrative business in your country but I need you to put me through, Please, Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible, Immediately I confirmed your willingness then I will tell you how we will go about the transaction.
 
Thanks and God bless.
Yours sincerely,
Miss Hellen Atta.

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