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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: Richard Hood <richardhood60@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 03:20:01 -0700
Subject: Message

Dear ,

How are you?, hope fine. I am Richard Hood.My father hails from Houston
Texas in the USA,and my mother from Rome in Italy. My father and mother are
all dead. My late father was a gold merchant,while my mother a nurse.

My late father deposited the sum of US$10Million in a private security
company in Europe,for safekeeping.
I am the next of kin. Please i want you to assist me in the claim,and help
me to invest the fund in your country.I will like you to take 20% of the
total sum,and invest the rest amount in any lucrative business in your
country.

I am 19 years old; i have no knowledge in business/investment.

I am looking forward to hearing from you,for more information.

Regards,

Mr Richard Hood.

Anti-fraud resources: