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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: JB <steve@litung.ocw.com.tw>
Reply-To: <joanbrinkley757@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2014 14:09:31 -0700
Subject: Re:

Re: Please

I am Mrs. Joan Brinkley, a devoted Christian. I am a dying woman who has decided to donate what I have to charities, Widows and Orphans through you. You may be wondering why I chose you. But someone has to be chosen. I am old and was diagnosed for cancer, after the death of my husband who had left me everything he worked for.

I have been touched by the Lord to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband to charity through you for the good work of humanity. I have asked the Lord to forgive me all my sins and I believe he has, because He is merciful.

For more details reply to brinkleyjoan28@yahoo.com.hk

Please including your details, Full Names, Contact Address, Phone and Fax numbers on your reply.

Your sincerely,
Mrs. Joan Brinkley

Anti-fraud resources: