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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: "Debt Reconciliation Committee" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <datamails@e-mail.ua>
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 19:05:51 +0200
Subject: Re: Credit Alert!

Attention Beneficiary,

The British High Commission in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Togo, Senegal In collaboration with United Kingdom (London) Anti-Crimes Squad received a report of scam against you and other British/ United States citizens and Malaysia, Etc., whom the country of Nigeria/ Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and United Kingdom (London) Anti-Crimes Squad have recompensed you due to meeting held with four countries Government and the world High Commissions against fraud activities by the four country Citizens.

Your name was among those scammed as listed by the Nigeria Financial Intelligent Unit (NFIU).
A compensation has been issued out to all the affected victims and have been already in distribution to all the bearers. You are among those that was reported as fraud victims and we wish to advice you to see to the instructions of the Committee to make sure you receive your long awaited funds immediately for your usage.
According to the number of applicants at hand, 184 Beneficiaries have been paid, half of the victims are from the United States, we still have more 37 left to be paid the compensation of $1,200,000.00 USD (One Million, Two Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) each. Your particulars was mentioned by one of the syndicates who was arrested as one of their victims of the operations, you are hereby warned not to communicate or duplicate this message to any person or group of persons for any reason whatsoever as the United States secret service is already on trace of the other criminals so keep it secret till they are all apprehended. Other victims who have not been contacted can submit their application as well for scrutiny and possible consideration.

NFIU further informed us that the use of Nigeria Couriers and the Benin was abolished due to interception activities noticed in the above mentioned courier services in Benin, Nigeria and Ghana and thereby have made a concrete arrangement with the African Development Bank for a safe transfer of your funds once the beneficiary meets up the demand of the institution.
We advice that you do the needful to make sure the NFIU dispatches your recompense immediately to you, be assured of the safety of your funds and availability and be advised that you should stop further contacts with all the fake lawyers and institutions who in collaboration scammed you.

Since the Federal Bureau of Investigation is involved in this transaction, you have to be rest assured for this is real and not a joke, it is our duty to protect the American Citizens and other victims. All you need to do is to contact African Development Bank for the processing your fund, you are therefore advised to respond back for the full information and contact of the African Development Bank for further details.

Your's in Service,

Rita Moore
Debt Reconciliation Committee.

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