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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: "Dr. Kerry Martins" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <k_martins01@yahoo.com.au>
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2014 09:32:25 -0500
Subject: My Dear Respected Friend!!

My Dear Respected Friend
 
 
I am in humanitarian mission under United Nations in helping the new Syrian authorities deliver immediate emergency aid and provide a democratic transition after United Nations Security Council Resolution 2118 was adopted unanimously on 27 September 2013, we discover about $56.5Million US dollars that we want to move out but we need a good partner we can trust. This fund is legal.
 
Click on the link bellow for more information:
 
 
http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/un-documents/syria/
 
 
We will move these funds to your position for an investment purpose in your country. But the question is, can we trust you when the funds get to you? You will take your 50% for the assistance and keep the remaining for us in a safe custody.
 
Your role is to find a safe place for the funds while our own part is sending it to you.
 
 
Best regard,
 
Dr. Kerry Martins

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