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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: "PPI SERVICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ppiftn@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:52:45 -0000
Subject: Contact us now to claim your £5,000,000 donation

Hello,
My name is Alfred Walters of PPI SERVICE. I have a dormant account with the sum of £45,000,000.00 (Forty Five Million Pounds) for review. The money is part of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s charity funds. Your email has been listed as the recipient of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal chaity donations of £5,000,000.
Email us immediately on ppiftn@gmail.com on how to claim your donation.
Thanks
Alfred Walters

Anti-fraud resources: