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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: James Davies <barr_jamesdavies@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <james_williams1051@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 07:20:42 +0000
Subject: Very Urgent




My Dear Friend,

I am sorry to encroach your privacy in this
manner but due to the urgency attached to the transaction I had to reach
you by all means. There is a deceased customer (Dr. Anthony Williams)
of my department who died in an auto- accident and left behind the sum
of US$150M. I have been searching for any of his relative to come
forward to claim the funds but all my effort proved abortive and no one
come forward for this claim after a certain period the bank will take
over the fund, hence, I seek your partnership in receiving these fund
for our mutual benefit. If interested, reply immediately for more detail
information on the transaction. Thanks. if you are ready to help,
kindly send me E-mail to me (james_williams1051@yahoo.com)

Regards,
Mr. James Williams

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