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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: info1100@gmail.com
Reply-To: richarddike1102@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2016 10:06:01 +0100
Subject: YOUR RELEASED FUNDS


I want to use this opportunity to inform you that the federal ministry of finance is paying the sum of (USD2.5M)for over due contract payment, Lottery awards, Next-of-kin etc. Kindly get back to us and tell us where your payment fall in and also indicate if you have received yours (USD2.5M), but if you have not received your compensation you please also indicate.

We have tried all every possible means to contact you but it failed because we lost your contact and we want to know if you are still alive and also know if you still want your compensation/payment as directed so that we can finalize this transaction once and for all.

Note that you must stop all further transaction with any Banks, agents, Payment Center, Diplomatic Agent and Financial institution as discussed and concluded in United Nations compensation committee summit/meeting in London last 2 weeks.

Regards,
Richard Dike

Anti-fraud resources: