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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: "Tom Saxton" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tsaxton.mdt@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2017 16:34:38 -0800
Subject: MEMO FROM MDT....

Mr. Tom Saxton
Chief Deputy Treasurer
Michigan Department of Treasury {MDT}
 
 
             Fund Beneficiary amount US$5 Million Check
 
I am writing to inform you that after the meeting held with the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) we have been mandated to release the sum of $5,000,000.00 USD (Five Million United States Dollars) to you via US Treasury Check for the settlement of unpaid funds which your name was among those listed to us to be paid via the United States Treasury Vault.
 
As I write you this mail your US Treasury Check amount of $5,000,000.00 USD is issued and ready to be released to you, get back to this office with your contact telephone and fax number with your residence address and a copy of your identification (Passport).
 
I wait your response.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Mr. Tom Saxton
Chief Deputy Treasurer
Michigan Department of Treasury {MDT}
State and Authority Finance Bureau
Austin Building, 430 W. Allegan. Lansing, MI 48922
Telephone: 517-618-0406
Email: tsaxton.mdt@aol.com

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