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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: GERADINE YAO <geradine.yao2013@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2013 17:26:20 +0000
Subject: Dear,Assist me in taking care of the needy.

Dearest,

I am Mrs.Geradine Yao ,an aging widow From Ivory Coast,West Africa and
suffering from long time illness. I have some funds I inherited from
my late husband, the sum of US$7,800,000.00 in one of the prime
financial house here.

I needed a very honest and God fearing Person that will use the fund
for God's work, I found your contact from the internet and decided to
contact you. Please if you would be able to use the funds for the
Lord's work without attaching personal interest, kindly reply back
immediately for further details,so that i can give you complete and
detailed information regarding both the Financial house,myself and
documents of the fund deposits including my only daughter Marie
Laure.My Private E-mail is: geradine.yao2013@gmail.com

Yours in the Lord,

Mrs. Geradine Yao

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