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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: "Dr. Tom Hart." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tom.hart8@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 22:27:57 +0100
Subject: Dear Esteemed Colleague,

Dear Esteemed Colleague,
 
I am Dr.Tom Hart, i work with Direct Financial Services  (UK) LTD, United Kingdom. I contacted you in respect of an investment placed under our management 15 years ago by late Harry Helmsley. I contacted you independently of our investigation and emphasis the reason of this communication. I would like to intimate you with certain facts that I believe would be of interest to you.In 1998, the subject matter; Harry came to us to engage in business discussions. He informed us that he had a financial portfolio of Twenty One Million Five Hundred British Pounds sterling,which he wished to have us turn over (invest) on his behalf. I was the officer assigned to his case, I made numerous suggestions in line with my duties as the de-facto global head of the Offshore banking sector,especially given the volume of funds he wished to put into our management. We met on numerous occasions prior to any investments being placed. I encouraged him to consider various growth funds with prime ratings.
 
In Line with instructions, the money was deposited with International International Financial Data Services. Harry told me he wanted the money there in anticipation of his arrival from USA later that week. This was the last communication we had, this transpired around 9th March 1998. In June last year, we got a call from International Financial Data Service informing us of the inactivity of that particular portfolio.This was an astounding position as far as I was concerned, given the fact that I was still in the Direct Financial Offshore sector I'm the only one other than Tony Dupan who himself is on a year's leave of absence and is now a visiting lecturer at the London School Of Economics as we both served on the sub-committee on Mr.Leonard's portfolio initially who knew about the deposit at International Financial Data Services Uk, and I could not understand why Harry had not come forward to claim his deposit.
 
I immediately passed the task of locating him to the internalinvestigations department of Direct Financial Services (UK) LTD. Fourdays later, information started to trickle in, apparently Harry was dead. A person who suited his description was declared dead of a heart attack in his home town USA. We were soon enough able to identify the body and cause of death was confirmed. Direct Financial Services (UK) LTD immediately launched an investigation into possible surviving next of kin to alert about the situation and also to come forward to claim his estate. And it was discovered that the only surviving wife is dead long ago.
 
Now our Company has been waiting for any of the relatives to come-up for the claim but nobody has done that. I personally has been unsuccessful in locating any of the relatives for the past (5) Five years now, I sincerely seek your consent to present you as the next of kin / Will Beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at GBP 21,500,000.00(Twenty One Million Five Hundred Thousand British Pounds Sterling) available to be released to the next of kin. My proposal; I am prepared to place you in a position to instruct them to release the deposit to you as the next of kin. Upon receipt of the deposit, I am prepared to share the money with you as the beneficiary that is:  You will get 30% of GBP 21,500,000.00 while I take 70%. I assure you that I could have the deposit released to you within a few days not later than 10 business days.
 
Do not betray my confidence. If we can be of one accord, we should plan a meeting soon.Your early respond would be appreciated. Please kindly send the following to enable us proceed: Full Name...., Residential contact Address........, Country of Origin and Contact telephone Number.
 
Awaiting your good response.
 
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Tom Hart.

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