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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. Robert Williams" <mrjerrywilliams2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mr. Robert Williams" <edwardwilliams808@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2017 16:36:54 +0900 (JST)
Subject: I have sent the money now $5,000.00 USD via Money Gram to you and you need to paid sum of $105 for the releasing of your $5000 before you can pick up the $5000, Your urgent response is highly needed in sending the $105 to enable you pick up your $5000 today, Call me or text Phone number +229-9884-1152 for the remain pick up info.


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Anti-fraud resources: