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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: "Starling Bank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <starling.bnk@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2017 13:34:26 -0700
Subject: Starlinbank Direct Online Payment

Your Fund valued US$35,80.000.00 USD was deposited here in our escrow account, but you need to open your own personal online account with us here, so that we shall credit your payment into the account for further transfer into any account of your choice.

The cost to open online bank account for non residential customers is US$50.00, while the activation for international operation/use is US$115.00, both are at the total of US$165.00 only.

NOTE: the US$50.00 is refundable when ever a customer wishes to close his/her account, while the activation charges of US$115.00 is not refundable.

The open and activation charges are required to send through money gram with the name of our receiver cashier (ODIMEGWU STANLEY).

Use the information below for the payment:

1. Receiver name: ODIMEGWU STANLEY.
2. City/Country: ASABA - NIGERIA.
3. Test question: HOW SOON?
4. Answer: VERY URGENT.

Forward the REFERENCE NUMBER and sender's name here after making the payment; and upon confirmation by our receiving cashier; the online bank account shall be open and activate immediately, and its account information, such as our website and PIN code shall be forward to you, and you shall login to the account to view your account statement or make transfer into any of your choice.

Finally,fill the application form carefully and return immediately as instructed together with the US$165.00 payment Slip.

1,Full legal names...................
2,Phone number/fax...................
3,Current Address....................
4,Age................................
5,Country............................

Thanks for banking us!
Starling BankOnline transfer department
Sincerely yours, Mr. Yinka Adeola.

Anti-fraud resources: