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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: "Zhang Wei" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zhangwei1@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 14:42:27 +0100
Subject: Information from Hong Kong

Dear Friend,
 
Greetings from Hong Kong, I work as an investment banker for a Major Bank in Hong Kong. I am getting in touch with you regarding my late client who died here in Asia without a next of kin and an investment worth millions of Euros placed in our bank some years ago. I want to present you as a surviving family member to enable you put a claim to the funds.
 
This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement since you bear the same last name with the deceased. I am contacting you independently and will intimate you more about myself and details of the project if and when I receive your response.
 
Kindly get back to me if you are interested in partnering with me on this project. Reply to my private email address:  zhangwei2@yahoo.com.hk
 
Yours faithfully,
Zhang Wei

Anti-fraud resources: