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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Eric Dosu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dosueric38@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2014 01:53:40 -0700
Subject: Good News / Very Urgent

Hello,
 
This is to inform you that your long overdue payment which has been delayed for long time now has been released.
 
My name is Eric Dosu , I was transferred into this department a week ago and I went through your payment files and find out that your payment has been delayed for no reason. I have made an arrangement with a reliable agent accredited to this department for delivery and also contact the bank in regards to this , in-case of your choice of receiving.
 
You are advised to reconfirm your full contact details via this email ( dosueric38@gmail.com )and also let know me how you chose to receive your payment, to enable me direct you to the right department in-charge.
 
Get back to me asap.
 
Thanks
Eric Dosu.

Anti-fraud resources: