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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: pchonline@msn.com
Reply-To: pchonlinesweepstake@live.com
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:55:29 +0200
Subject: YOU WON:

GOOD DAY WE ARE FROM THE PUBLISHERS® CLEARING HOUSE (PCH) AND YOUR EMAIL
ADDRESS JUST WON YOU ONE MILLION DOLLARS {$1,000,000USD} IN THIS
WEEK PCH LOTTERY,WINNER YOU ARE TO CONTACT OUR FIDUCIARY.PLEASE NOTE,IF
YOU ARE NOT THE RIGHTFULL OWNER OF THIS EMAIL,DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS MAIL
THANKS.

Your Qualification number is: (A-121-637, G-01-06)

Agent: Mr. Collins Van Paul
Email: pchonlinesweepstake@live.com

YOU ARE REQUIRE TO SEND THE INFORMATION BELOW TO PROCESS YOUR CLAIM
FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
SEX:
NATIONALITY:
AGE:
OCCUPATION:
PHONE NUMBER:
PRESENT COUNTRY:

Executive Secretary,
Engr. Xavier Fitch.

Anti-fraud resources: