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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: "Due Process Verification Office - Anthony Ani" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <anthony.ani.mr@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 16:56:25 +0100
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION (Account Update)

--
We write to inform you from our Due Process Verification Office via Our REVENUE ACCOUNT.
ACCOUNT NO: 400-939134 WITH J.P MORGAN CHASE NEW YORK.
Please note carefully, that a certain Mr. Frank Smith from The United Kingdom and his Nigerian partner
Mr. Robert Daani came to our Nigeria Headquarters with sworn affidavits instructing us to re-route your
funds into a new account as stated:
 
Hsbc (London Branch)
Address: 26 Edgware Road, Paddington, London,
Account Name: Mr Frank Smith
Number: 5068-1117
 
However, before we carry out this instruction, you are requested to confirm without delay the followings:
If Mr. Frank Smith is one of your Director’s as claimed.
If you have instructed him to appoint a legal counsel /agent on your behalf,
If you have authorized us through your agent, to issue Payment to them on your behalf,
If you have authorized Mr. Frank Smith to change your account details with those as stated with this mail.
As a matter of urgency, confirm the legitimacy of the above claim and kindly give us reasons why you decided
to affect the above Change.
 
We decided to contact you, due to the conduct put up by these men and the unsatisfactory information they
provided concerning this transfer, and as a result, this office have decided to give them Five (5) days
appointment to enable us make necessary verification from you and the appropriate authorities,
 
Yours Sincerely,
Mr Anthony Ani
 

Anti-fraud resources: