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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: Info Centre <rawmart222@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:58:22 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: UNOFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE


I AM A MEMBER OF A CONTRACT AWARD AND REVIEW COMMITTEE. A CONTRACT ALREADY EXECUTED BY A FOREIGN FIRM IN AFRICA IN 2002 WAS OVER-INVOICED BY US TO THE TUNE OF U S$35.5M ONLY. IN THE LIGHT OF THE ABOVE, I ASK YOU FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE TRANSFER OF THE EXCESS FLOATING IN A SUSPENSE ACCOUNT INTO A FOREIGN ACCOUNT YOU MAY WISH TO PROVIDE, FOR IT WAS A CATEGORY "A" CONTRACT, (STRICTLY RESERVED FOR A FOREIGN CONTRACTOR) THIS INFORMED MY REQUEST, AND ALSO THAT I AM FORBIDDEN BY MY GOVERNMENT TO RUN ANY FOREIGN ACCOUNT.

AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER, 30% OF THE TOTAL SUM WILL GO TO YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE WHILE 10% OF THE TOTAL SUM TO COMPENSATE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL EXPENSES INCURRED BY BOTH PARTIES. MORE DETAILS WILL BE GIVEN
IN THE COURSE OF CORRESPONDENCE.

YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY IS HIGHLY REQUIRED SINCE I AM STILL IN ACTIVE SERVICE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED CORPORATION.
 
REGARDS,
 
DR.  JOSEF KONNAN-BANNI


Anti-fraud resources: