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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: "Comrade T.S Eso." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mail2charlesvandi@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2017 09:26:03 +0100
Subject: DEAL OFFER.

Dear Friend,
 
It's with deep regret that I am proposing a venture of this magnitude in such manner, please do not treat as inconsequential despite the skepticism of virtual solicited businesses. I'm an Ethnic Conflict Analyst by training with (14) years of freelance experience as an oil conflict conciliator. I hope you wouldn't find the content of this letter disturbing and resort to whistle-blowing given that I contacted you without an initial introduction of the subject matter. If you won't mind, I will gladly unveil the details of my proposition only when you have indicated interest for the sake of discretion.
 
Given by the assessment of the environment and public health impacts of oil spillages in the oil rich south-south geopolitical zone, I have successfully negotiated the Damages-bid in favour of (4) local tribes inhabited on the coast of Delta basin. An additional sum of $1 billion is being disbursed for the cleaning-up and restoration their ancestral heritage. Moreso, to reward other stakeholders whose commercial activities were also disrupted by the menace of spills as a result of the exploration activities by the (3) leading oil corporations in sub Saharan Africa.
 
Do you often perform large Financial transactions and have you enjoyed cordial banking relationship with your bankers over the years? I have a proposition for you if you would receive the sum of $50M in your account without any authorities raising eyebrows. If you are interested in knowing the modalities for this venture, please indicate by prompt reply so that I shall give you the details and further discuss your remuneration accordingly.
 
Thanks in anticipation, I hope to read from you at your earliest convenience.
 
Regards,
Comrade T. S. Eso.

Anti-fraud resources: