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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: "Sgt. Maj.Antonio Lamas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <antoniolamas@qq.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 11:54:25 +1100
Subject: ATTENTION NEEDED

Attention:
 
I am Sgt. Maj. Antonio Lamas head of security operation US embassy in Baghdad IRAQ, It is absolutely my total responsibility to keep both staff and property secured from any form of attack or destruction, I have served 3 years here in Baghdad IRAQ with over two thousand marines reporting to me directly on security matters. Sensitive position with sensitive operation for 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, as a matter of fact I will indeed appreciate your total attention to my proposal.
 
Direct to the main point. My contract ends next year December 30th in which I have to move out of IRAQ officially. I have used my position to compromise with some high rank US diplomats and Iraqi government officials
to push hundreds of millions of dollars to outside world. This deal fetched me € 17 million euro. The fund is currently out of IRAQ but I am not suppose to be in custody of such money as a serving officer according to US law, I will need your role on a very strict confidential mutual understanding to help me secure this fund pending when I finish my contract next year.
 
Sir, finally your share will be 10% of the total amount for collecting and keeping till my arrival
Kindly keep this as top secret, it is also risk free.
Send me the followings-
 
(1)Copy of your passport or driving license
(2)Your occupation and position
(3)Your current Address
(4)Your private telephone number
(5)Name of the company where you work.
 
With the above listed information I will use my military letter headed paper to draft an approval and send to you, and I will also send a copy to the firm to release my fund to you.
 
Best Regards
Sgt. Maj.Antonio Lamas
antoniolamas@yeah.net
Baghdad IRAQ

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