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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: " John Thomas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnthomas@inbox.lv>
Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2016 21:33:10 -0500
Subject: Please reply if you think you can be of assistance and we can establish communication

Dear Friend,

My name is John Thomas, I got your contact from the chamber of commerce as an accredited Construction investor.
One of such investments is the acquisition of Gold mines and bullion in excess of four hundred & fifty million dollars ($250,000,000.00) in the Republic
of South Africa and Europe.
I will want you to help me secure my mothers properties (fund) so that we can invest it into your construction firm. Can you assist me? You will be greatly rewarded. I believe we can do business together...

Please reply if you think you can be of assistance and we can establish communication

My best wishes,

John Thomas
johnthomas@inbox.lv

Anti-fraud resources: