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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: "JOHN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mnjohn12@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 14:07:48 -0800
Subject: Please read carefully and quickly reply

My name is John Brown direct Wire transfer C.B.N, after a serious
thought based on my current position, I decided to reach you
personally because I do not have anything against you, but the person
that involved you in this transaction.
 
In years back your greedy (claimed) partner approached me and
requested that I assist him to fix your name on the Payment Central
Computer as beneficiary for transfer deal with arrangement to transfer
huge amount of about 5,7million by registering you as the legal
beneficiary. We agreed that i will get 25% of the total fund, 50% for
YOU and 25% for him. After i programmed your name on the payment
computer as the legal beneficiary, He started playing with me trying
to push me out of the business completely that was why I changed the
information without his notice.
 
Which made it impossible for you to receive the payment no-matter what
both of you tried. I am aware that you have been contacted several
officials even your last encontiner with the union bank officials to
get approvals but all efforts were to no success. Rather they keep
demanding fees ON and ON. NOW IF YOU WANT US TO WORK TOGETHER HERE ARE
MY CONDITIONS.
 
(I)You MUST promise me NOT to allow ANY OTHER PERSON know about this
and I will have 40% of the money then 60% for you because it is only
two of us. Again you must keep it highly confidential and secret. why
i am giving you 60% is because you will do a little expenses
 
(2) We can conclude the transaction with utmost SECRET and
CONFIDENTIAL if you agree to adhere to my directives based on these
conditions being acceptable by you, contact me immediately to enable
us finalize all the arrangement.
 
As soon as we agree, i will perfect the arrangements on your behalf
also update your fill to have a smooth transfer both now and after the
money have gotten into your account. If you do not agreed with my
condition, i will advise you, NOT TO EVEN REPLY because there is no
way you can conclude the transfer without my notice, I still remain
the director Foreign Payments. I WAIT YOUR REPLY ONLY ON THIS EMAIL
 
Regards.
Mr John Brown
 

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