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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: "INFO PETER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <c.info458971@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 05:35:15 -0700
Subject: GREETHINGS..........

Standard Chartered Bank PLC,
1 Alderman bury Square Private
 
Greetings...
My Name is Peter A Sands; the group chief executive director of Standard Chartered Bank London,I must say that I have enormous respect for you considering the manner in which I have made contact with you,I have a business which will benefit both of us, I wish to transfer and invest funds in your organization and country on the share ratio of 40% for you and 50 % for me,I discovered that my branch in which I am the Chief Auditor had Fifty Five Million Five Hundred Thousand British Pounds (£55,500.000.00 GBP) of which no body/staff or director is aware of and will never be aware of, I have also PLACED this fund on ESCROW CALL ACCOUNT without a beneficiary.
As the Group Finance Director, I cannot be directly connected to this money thus I am compelled to request for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account. I will compensate you with 40% as gratification while 50% will be for me and 10% will be set out for our expenses, Please if you accept my offer, kindly response to my request as soon as possible.
In course of this transaction, there are practically no risk involve because it will be a bank-to-bank transfer. Please this is very confidential transaction please.
I will appreciate your timely response.
With Regards,
Mr. Peter Sands

Anti-fraud resources: