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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: "MR RUBEN MAXWELL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <african_development_bank@consultant.com>
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:42:14 -0700
Subject: You Will Have to Receive your transfer Through AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK OF BENIN Within 24hrs

Attention: Dear  Beneficiary
 
This is to notify you That your funds valued One Million Five Hundred Thousand united states dollars (U.S.
 
$1,500,000.00) has been released today to the AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK OF BENIN.
 
For your convenience, You Will Have to Receive your transfer Through AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK OF BENIN  Within 24hrs by
 
the use of their online banking system which you will do  by yourself to your local account.
 
By  this method, You Will monitor the movement of the local funds online till your account is duly credits. Contact the
 
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK OF BENIN to Provide personnel with the login details so You Can commence the transfer by
 
yourself.
 
CONTACT PERSON:
 
Dr.Usman Bello AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT
 
BANK OF BENIN EMAIL :(african_development_bank@consultant.com)
 
SINCERELY, Mr.Ruben Maxwell

Anti-fraud resources: