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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: "EVAN DOUGLAS" <sure4@keke86.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <wumt.official2016@yandex.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 17:41:37 -0200
Subject: HELLO WINNER, CONGRATULATIONS!

WESTERN UNION OFFICE
Regional Directorate
Office 1, Western Union Plaza
Allen Avenue, Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel: +1 (208) 494 - 2036

Dear beneficiary,

This is to inform you that your payment file have been authorized and approved for immediate release. The Africa Union in collaboration with the US Consulate and the European Union unanimously ratified that the sum of US$3.5Million be paid to you from Western Union of the above office location.

The mode of this payment is that a daily wire transfer of US$9000 be activated and paid to you via wire transfer of two payment slips of US$4,500 each. So I shall activate and wire to you the sum of US$9000 to you daily until completely drawn all your US$3.5Million.

I was informed that this payment is a compensation for your unpaid contract/lotto/inheritance/award, and which you were unable to receive for the past 4 years due to corrupt bank and government officials of Benin Republic and Nigeria, United Kingdom and delivery diplomats.

Now that you have been notified, please go ahead to forward to me your correct data which I will activate and wire the US$9000 daily payment beginning from today.

Kindly fill the below and return ASAP:

YOUR NAME IN FULL:
CONTACT ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE#:
FAX#:
DATE OF BIRTH:
OCCUPATION:
COMPANY NAME(if any):
COMPANY ADDRESS:
ATTACHED COPY OF ID:

As soon as I receive your email, I will call you to confirm to you that I received your information.

Thank you and Congratulations!

Faithfully yours,

EVAN DOUGLAS
Regional Director, Africa.
Western Union
Tel: +1 (208) 494 - 2036

Anti-fraud resources: