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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: "Mary Prieve" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sgtmary16@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2014 17:56:31 -0400
Subject: PLEASE GET BACK TO ME.

My name is Sergeant Mary Prieve, I am currently serving in the US Army. I have a very important proposal, that will be of benefit to us. This is highly classified, as I would need your honesty and trust.

I need you to signify your interest by replying to this email. Most importantly, I will need you to promise to keep whatever you learn from me between us even if you decide not to go along with me. I will make more details available to you on receipt of a positive response from you.

Please reply me for details


Regards

Sgt. Mary
Sgtmary@us.army.mil

Anti-fraud resources: