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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: "vetropolesana@alice.it" <vetropolesana@alice.it>
Reply-To: w.dept@aim.com
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 20:35:56 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: REGARDS YOUR FIRST 5000USD

Attn,
we have sent out your funds through western union after our finally meeting
regarding your compensation USD1.5M and your first payment will send to you
once you
contact them via email:western_worldwide@kimo.com or call +229 6834 7530Dr.
Edward
Vincent director western union with transfer fees of USD155.Regards Ban Ki Moon.
Sec.Gen.UN

Anti-fraud resources: