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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: Anderson Smith <andersmit190@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2014 22:41:12 +0200
Subject: D.M.E(MINING)


From: Mr.Anderson SmithE-mail Address: ansmit08an@aol.com
Dear Sir/Madam, STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND URGENT! The South Africa economy has witnessed a steady growth since the end of Apartheid. Within the Ministry of Mineral & Energy Resources where I worked as director of Project Implementation, Mining and Quarrying alone contributes 12.3% GDP (R25.9 Billion), Gold made up R19.9 Billion of the yearly export while Base metals and other mineral products contribute R6.7 Billion and R5.0 Billion respectively. This figures excludes Diamond,which is quoted separately. The Government have continuously strives to improve and maintain good relationship with foreign governments and Non-Governmental financial agencies by ensuring payments for all debts owed to foreign contractors. As a matter of fact, the Government have sponsored several trade delegation overseas to improve and attract foreign investments to South Africa.
I write to solicit your partnership in a matter I believe will be of mutual benefit to us. This would require your trust and capability to work with me with your genuine cooperation according to instructions. I am still in active government service with the Ministry of Mineral & Energy Resources and I am in dire need of a foreign partner to assist me in the receipt and investment of US$28,500,000.00 (Twenty-Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). The key issue is the transfer of the said amount to an account that will be provided by you for the purpose of safekeeping and subsequent investment in a profitable venture.I am ready to go into an agreement with you regarding your percentage in this transaction.It does not matter whether or not you own a company,I shall guide you on what to do. The basis will be that a major company won a contract and subcontracted it to you. More often, big trading companies and firms of unrelated fields win contracts and subcontract to more specialized firms for execution. We shall follow strictly all the legal procedures entailed in our laws and international laws in transferring the funds to you.The source of the fund is legitimate and authoritative; It is pertinent to know that under the South African Government Service Code of Conduct, Civil servants are not allowed to operate or own a bank account overseas, hence your importance as a foreign partner.
I have reposed my confidence in you and hope you will not disappoint me.Should you be willing to assist positively with a common goal,endeavor to contact me immediately through my confidential email address :ansmit08an@aol.com . I await in anticipation your fullest co-operation. Best regards,Mr. Anderson Smith

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