419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs Sarah Awad Saheed <tylor.morritz@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <sarah.awad66@yandex.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 17:34:07 +0100
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?Personal_E?= =?windows-1256?Q?nquiry/Ema?=
=?windows-1256?Q?il_me_back?= =?windows-1256?Q?_with_cont?=
=?windows-1256?Q?act_detail?= =?windows-1256?B?c/7+?=

Dear Friend

I am Mrs. Sarah Saheed a Christian married to a
Muslim, now a widow to late Mohammad Saheed former owner of One of the
Private Petroleum & Gas Company here in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
who died earlier 2011 from Heart attack,During the period of our
marriage, we had no child . I am 59 years old, suffering from esophageal
cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment and according to
the doctor, my life is not guaranteed .

Having known my
condition I've willed most of my properties and assets to my immediate
and extended family members as well as a few close friends. I want God
to be merciful to me and accept my soul. I once asked members of my
family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have
there to any of the charity home, they withdrew and kept the money to
themselves . Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be
contended with what I have left for them.

Before my late husband
died he has a fixed deposited of US $17.500.000.00 { Seventy Million
Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars Only } in a Bank , that's all I have
left now, I am soliciting for your kind assistance to be my Next of kin
and also help me disburse part of money to less the privileged "
Charity Homes " if only you will be honest and Sincere.

I will
provide all the necessary legal documents of the Bank Account to you
including the Bank Details for your confirmation to enable you contact
the bank for immediate release and transfer of the funds to any of your
Bank Account for I am incapacitated. I will give you 30% of the total
sum for your assistance while the 60% goes to Charity Home .10% for any
expenses you might incur during this transaction.

Please reply me with honesty as soon as you receive this mail.

Truly Yours,
Mrs. Sarah Saheed

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam