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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: "Ms Josephine lopez" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Josephine.lopez@1email.eu>
Date: Sun, 5 Jul 2015 23:11:07 +0100
Subject: Update on your file

Sir/Ma,
 
I write to inform you that your file have been approved by the United Nations board of directors for prompt payment,The Sun Trust Bank,USA have been authorized to release your long awaiting fund to you without any further delay. No fee will be involve until complete the transfer of your fund into your bank account.You are advised to reconfirm the following information:
 
Full name
Full address
Phone/Mobile phone number
 
As soon as the above information is received,I will summit your file to the SUN TRUST BANK OFFICIALS for immediate processing and release of your fund without any further delay.Reply back as urgent as possible for more information in details.
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Yours Sincerely,
JOSEPHINE LOPEZ
For :UNITED NATIONS,LONDON
                                  End of message with Code  / ppw

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