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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: "Barr Steve Fred" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barrstevefred01@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2014 17:16:47 -0700
Subject: RE:NEXT OF KIN WINNER AND GET BACK////

Hello Dear.
 
I got your contact in course of my inquiry to locate relations of my deceased client who died in a car crash. On the 7th of August 2009 it was reported to us that my client, his wife and their only daughter were involved in a car crash. The reason for this is to inherit a Contract Payment Deposits Account valued at £15,500,000.00 of which the deceased left in our bank.
 
This request emerged when the bank contacted me for the attention of my deceased client (perhaps for one reason or the other they have tried to contact him and was unsuccessful) I announced his death and protocols observed. I was mandated (as the deceased's account officer) to provide the Next of Kin to inherit the deposits or they will freeze it as" Unclaimed Deposit" Unfortunately, and unknown to the bank, the Next of Kin was among the dead in the car crash. (The only daughter) But rather  leaving the Deposits/Account frozen hence I seek your help to claim the fund into your Account as you share same name with  the deceased and I have the required Information to execute the transaction under legal process. Upon the conclusion of this  transaction, I will come to your country, for the disbursement of this fund, which 40% of the total amount will be your compensation, while 60% will be my share for the investment I will need your help to establish in your country.
 
1. Full name
2. Contact Address
3. Age
4. Telephone Number
5. Sex
6. Occupation
7. State
8. Country
 
Regards,
 
Barr.Steve Fred.
Email Address:barrstevefred01@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: