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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: Anthony Ekpo <ekpo003@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ekpo009@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2015 04:54:20 -0800
Subject: I am Mrs.Safia Farkash Gahdafi

Dear Friend,

I am Mrs.Safia Farkash Gahdafi the wife of the late Libyan Leader
Colonel Muammar Gahdafi. Following the recent rebellion in my country
and the brutal death of my husband on the 20 Oct 2011, I have been
thrown into a state of utter confusion, frustration and hopelessness;
I have been subjected to physical and psychological torture by the
security agents in Algeria where we seek refuge at present.

My son was killed by the rebels for an offense he did not commit. As a
widow that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence with anybody
within the country. You must have heard over the media reports and the
internet on the recovery of various huge sums of money deposited by my
husband in different security firms abroad, some companies willingly
give up their secrets and disclosed our money confidently lodged there
or many outright blackmail.In fact the total sum discovered by the
Government so far is in the tune of ($900). Million Dollars. And they
are not relenting to make me poor for life; I got your contact email
address through my research and out of desperation decided to reach
you through this medium. I will give you more information as to this
regard as soon as you reply. I repose great confidence in you hence my
approach to you due to security network placed on my day to day
affairs I cannot afford to visit the embassy so that is why I decided
to contact you and I hope you will not betray the trust and confident.

I shall be grateful if you could receive this fund into your account
for safe keeping. This arrangement is known to you and my son alone. I
am seriously considering relocating to your country once the fund is
transferred to you. I will be wiling to offer you 30% of the total
fund if only you will receive this fund and keep it for us.

Please note that honesty is the watch word in this transaction. I will
require your telephone and fax numbers so that we can commence
communication immediately and I will give you a more detailed picture
of things. In case you don’t accept please do not let me out to the
security as I am giving you this information in total trust and
confidence .I will greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in
good faith.

I appreciate your timely suggestion and interest over this matter.

Best Regards,

Mrs.Safia Farkash Gahdafi

Pls, note I have to make use of another identity to send this message
to you for security reasons, I will reply you through my private email
address upon the receipt of your reply. Thanks

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