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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: "Albert Brown Jr." (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2015 17:30:37 -0500
Subject: FINAL LEGAL NOTICE.(15/02/2015)TM.

Goodmorning,

I am surprised not getting a response from the earlier mail I sent to you.I humbly ask if you are related to my client who died few years ago as both of you have the name last names.

It is my wish to present you as my demised client relative as both of you have the same family name to enable you inherit an investment deposit I assisted him in making with a bank before his death.

I informed the bank of his passing on and was instructed to present any available member of his family or close relative to be paid the funds.

I wish to also inquire if it is possible to have different families with your same last name by coincidence, who do not share any common roots?

Kindly get back to me if your email is still valid to enable me explain more as we have no much time left.

Best regards,

Albert Brown Jr

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