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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: "Morgan [ESQ]" <morgan.lpratitioner@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Oct 2013 07:55:16 -0600
Subject: From: Morgan

DEAR FRIEND.

Through the courtesy of business opportunity, I take liberty anchored on a strong desire to solicit your assistance on this mutually beneficial and risk free transaction which I hope you will give your urgent attention.

I am Barrister. C. Morgan, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to a deceased client, a national of your country, who used to work with Cullinan Diamond Mine, Gauteng in SOUTH AFRICA . Here in after shall be referred to as my client.

On the 27th of April 2009, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along Cape Town express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the MFS Company where the deceased had a cash deposit valued at about 10 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the funds confiscated within the next 14 official working days.

Since, I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over (4) years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this deposit valued at 10 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. 50% to me and 50% to you.

I’m legally equipped with all necessary legal information / documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Please, get in touch with me by my email or through my telephone number to enable us discuss further.

Best regards,
C. Morgan [ESQ]

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