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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: ALLEN JONES <allen.jones5253@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <allen.jones8342@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 09:36:17 -0800
Subject: FOREIGN DEBT SETTLEMENT / RECONCILIATION UNIT A

BANK OF ENGLAND
FOREIGN DEBT RECOVERING / RECONCILIATION UNIT
LONDON, UNITED- KINGDOM.
TELEPHONE +44 77 00038258
 
 
Dear Sir/Ma,
 
It has come to the notices of British Government and this Committee on Appropriation and Foreign Debt Payment recovering on behalf of the British  Government  under the auspices of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Alexandra Mary,  have unanimously decided to plead for your forgiveness and for you to revert your distrust on people and the  British Government. All efforts are being put in place to chastise all our corrupt government officials that projected, represented and tarnished the image of Britain before the entire World Community.
 
This is in a bid to uphold and maintain the British Government international reputation with the United Nation, O.A.U, World Bank, I.M.F,and Paris Club respectively.   In this regard, this Committee has reached a consensus to offset your outstanding payment sum of $5,250,000USD  through  (BANK OF ENGLAND). We shall be glad if you will cooperate immediately with us to enable us finalize the transfer of your payment into your bank account.
BANK OF ENGLAND has been solely empowered and authorized to offset all outstanding  payment exclusively for and on behalf of the British Government and the Africa countries. Note that any correspondence or transaction carried out with any other person(s)/institution except BANK OF ENGLAND  is done at your own risk and thus, we stand no chance to accept or condone any complain of misfortune that might arise or cause you in such contact.
 
Respond back to us to confirm receipt. Also forward to us your means of Identification, thereafter we shall Direct you further on this payment excise.
 
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Allen Jones
For the Governor

Anti-fraud resources: