419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mrsnicolemarois021@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: mrmusa_fara21@aim.com
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2017 13:18:48 -0500
Subject: My dear beloved, Please read carefully and quickly reply me on this
email (mrsnicolemarois021@gmail.com)

My Beloved!

Peace be Upon You

I am glad to know you, but God knows you better and he knowswhy he has directed me to you at this point in time so do not be afraid.

I am Mrs. Nicole Marois Benoite, and i have been sufferingfrom ovarian cancer disease and the doctor says that i have just few days toleave. I am from (Paris) France but based in Africa Burkina Faso since elevenyears ago as a business woman dealing with gold exportation.

Now that i am about to end the race like this, without anyfamily members and no child. I have $3 Million US DOLLARS in Africa DevelopmentBank (ADB) Burkina Faso which i instructed the bank to give St AndrewsMissionary Home in Burkina Faso. But my mind is not at rest because i amwriting this letter now through the help of my computer beside my sick bed.

I also have $8.5 Million US Dollars at Bank of Africa(B.O.A), and i instructed the bank to transfer the fund to you as foreignerthat will apply to the bank after i have gone, that they should release thefund to him/her, but you will assure me that you will take 50% of the fund andgive 50% to the orphanages home in your country for my heart to rest.

Respond to me immediately through this my private emailaddress (mrsnicolemarois021@gmail.com) for further details since I have justfew days to end my life due to the ovarian cancer disease, hoping you willunderstand my point.

Please respond.

Yours Dying Sister
Mrs Nicole Marois
uuuuuuuu

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam