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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. ERKULAO BENJAMIN OCHAN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benochan.erkulano46@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 14 May 2016 18:45:36 +0300
Subject: PATNERSHIP INVESTMENT

Greetings,
 
 
 
Permit me to approach you in this manner my name is ERKULAO BENJAMIN OCHAN. I am from South Sudan. I am in an urgent need
 
of your assistance in a matter concerning investment. There is (US$8.5M). All I need is a trustworthy person that can not
 
betray me in this matter. I will detail you more about this once I read from you stating in your interest in this matter.
 
It is 100% risk free / legit mate business deal but must also be secret between two of us. Thanking you in advance your
 
response.
 
 
 
Faithfully yours
 
 
ERKULAO BENJAMIN OCHAN

Anti-fraud resources: