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.
- mrsnicolemarois89@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: awudu_am@aim.com
Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2017 06:47:43 -0500
Subject: Please reply me through my private email address
(mrsnicolemarois89@gmail.com)

My Beloved!

Peace be Upon You

I am glad to know you, but God knows youbetter and he knows why he has directed me to you at this point in time so donot be afraid.

I am Mrs. Nicole Marois Benoite, and i havebeen suffering from ovarian cancer disease and the doctor says that i have justfew days to leave. I am from (Paris) France but based in Africa Burkina Fasosince eleven years ago as a business woman dealing with gold exportation.

Now that i am about to end the race likethis, without any family members and no child. I have $3 Million US DOLLARS inAfrica Development Bank (ADB) Burkina Faso which i instructed the bank to giveSt Andrews Missionary Home in Burkina Faso. But my mind is not at rest becausei am writing this letter now through the help of my computer beside my sickbed.

I also have $8.5 Million US Dollars at Bankof Africa (B.O.A), and i instructed the bank to transfer the fund to you asforeigner that will apply to the bank after i have gone, that they shouldrelease the fund to him/her, but you will assure me that you will take 50% ofthe fund and give 50% to the orphanages home in your country for my heart torest.

Respond to me immediately through this myprivate email address (mrsnicolemarois89@gmail.com) for further details since Ihave just few days to end my life due to the ovarian cancer disease, hoping youwill understand my point.

Please respond.

Yours Dying Sister
Mrs Nicole Marois

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam