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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: "Mr. Charles Mills" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <oficeofficceciti@outlook.com>
Date: Sat, 16 May 2015 01:40:07 -0700
Subject: ARE YOU DEAD OR ALIVE?

Attention: Dear Customer,
 
 
We need to confirm that this is Truth Before the bank will Release Your Funds to one Jennifer Scott. This Office was contacted by one Jennifer Scott, From Canada Who Claim to be Your Partner He Promise to finalize everything regarding your Claim as Your Next Of Kin. He said that you were Involved In A car Accident Last year December 2014 and Die without providing a death certificate. We need to confirm that you are truly dead before we can Release the Fund to Him/her.
 
 
We Believed That You are Dead But As a Public Office We need a Proof for Record Purposes Before We Can Release the Funds To Him/her, Therefore, Your Silent is a Clear Proof That you Are Dead. Note we will commence On the Release of your Funds To your Next Of Kin from next week if we do not hear from you, May your Soul Rest in Perfect Peace Amen.
 
 
 
Regards
Mr. Charles Mills
Citibank: Manhattan - Broadway & 86th Street
2350 Broadway
86th Street
New York, NY 10024
(212) 875-0490 (Local)
(212) 799-4510 (Fax)
(800) 627-3999 (Toll-Free)
http://www.citibank.com

Anti-fraud resources: