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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: "Mrs Linda Thomas" <hashton@centurytel.net>
Reply-To: <tlinda594@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:44:36 -0800
Subject: From Mrs.Linda Thomas

Good Day

My Name is Mrs.Linda Thomas from Aleppo,Syria.I know this message will be a pleasant surprise to you. Firstly,I am married to Mr.Fara Thomas.A gold merchant who owns a small gold Mine in Burkina Faso.He died of Cardiovascular Disease before the uprising in Syria began in mid-March 2011.During his life time he deposited the sum of Seven million two hundred thousand dollars in a bank in Cotonou the capital city of Benin Republic in West Africa.The deposited money was from the sale of the shares,death benefits payment and entitlements of my deceased husband by his company.

The effects of war in my country have restricted people,offices,schools from normal services and many lives and properties destroyed.The devastating condition and insecurity in my country persuaded me to contact you.I write to request your assistance to transfer the above money from a bank in Benin Republic to your country for security and precautionary purposes.It is practically impossible to contact anybody in my country to handle the transaction because of the war.The success of processing and transferring the fund to a secure account requires an individual who can stand as my next of kin or an executor to claim the fund since none of my husband’s relation or mine are alive. They were killed during the war in my country Syria.I cannot transfer the funds directly to a foreign bank account without selecting an executor or next of kin to claim it as the procedure of the claim indicated.

You will take 40% Percent for your services if you agree to assist me.Also,you will help me with some traveling documents to your country when the transfer is done.I need to start a new life somewhere and make a good living.I shall give you more information if you accept and indicates your interest . You can contact me with my private email below.

contact email:tlinda594@yahoo.com

Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs.Linda Thomas

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