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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: "USA LOTTERY®" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <visualdispatchco@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2014 18:52:52 -0300
Subject: JACKPOT WINNER.

Dear lucky winner,
 
You are the lucky winner of Saturday 19th July 2014 USA POWERBALL LOTTERY DRAW with winning numbers (10, 17, 25, 45, 53 Powerball: 9). You have won the total sum of US$60,000,000 in division 1 of the lottery games.
 
*Winning numbers confirmation (http://www.playusalotteries.com/en/lotto-results-and-winning-numbers.html).
 
Visual Dispatch Delivery Agency have been assigned to handle the safe delivery of your certified bank Draft. Contact Visual Dispatch via the stated directive below for claims.
 
Visual Dispatch Delivery Agency
1st division officer: Dr. Aaron Peterson
 
Information required for clearance and payment
 
Name: ……………………
Address: ……………………
Telephone number: ……………………
Gender: ……………………
Age: ……………………
Occupation: ……………………
 
Once more, congratulations
 
Sincerely,
Mrs. Donna Woodgate
(Online director)
 

Anti-fraud resources: