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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 John Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drjohn_smith2012@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 04:36:11 +0100
Subject: Attn: Sir/Madam,,

Attn: Sir/Madam,
 
This is the second time we are notifying you about your fund worth of $1Million USD.It was resolved and agreed that your inheritance/Contract & Lottery/Award Winning Certificates would be released on a special method of payment. You will confirm your long unclaimed funds through SWIFT CREDIT CARD
 
(T.T). Please kindly send your FULL NAME, CONTACT ADDRESS, YOUR TELEPHONE /CELLPHONE NUMBER, AGE/OCCUPATION & YOUR NEXT OF KIN FULL NAME AND CONTACT ADDRESS, to enable you claim your long unclaimed funds.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Dr.Smith Collins
 
Director Of Payment

Anti-fraud resources: