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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Som chai" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.somchai@contractor.net>
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 11:35:39 -0500
Subject: GOOD FURTUNE!!!

 
ASIA FOREIGN CONTRACTOR SETTLEMENT CENTRE
114 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Sathorn,
Bangkok, Thailand.
email: mr.somchai@contractor.net
 
Hello!
 
Good fortune! Though you and I have never met before.But I deem it necessary that I bring you this: $9.7 M ln credit/in a 'SUSPENSE ACCOUNT' is under my
care. It can be transferred to your private account in your country. We can work together to get it done under 50/50% sharing ratio.  Reply for concise details.
 
Regards,
Mr Som Chai
Accounts Section

Anti-fraud resources: