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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: "Mr. Steve Filed" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <markfoster105@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2017 11:29:11 -0700
Subject: Reply

Hello,

I am Steve Filed, I am contacting you in regards to a deceased client case, who was a prominent business consultant with the World Bank, IMF, and also a Realtor in the US and world wide, who happens to have your email address on his contact list and your have the same last name, I have tried emailing several times, but I ca.

I am Contacting you to help assist me in ensuring that the f u n d s($30.5000,000.00) lodged by my Client with his Financial and S e c u r i t y Firm is not declared unclaimed Hence my reason for contacting you. This Financial Firm has issued me a Notice to contact the next of kin or the a c c o u n t will be confiscated.

My Proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the Next-of-kin hence you carry the same last name, and your email is on his contact list i suppose you must be related to him some way. Upon maturity several notices was sent to his house address but no feedback, Another notification was sent early April 2017 and still no feedback

All that is required from you at this stage is to contact me on this email [steve_1650@hotmail.com] with your full information, a means of identification and your mobile number

I will also file in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of probate in your favor for the f u n d s to be moved to an a c c o u n t that will be provided by you. We are going to adopt a legalized method with no risk involve

Sincerely,
Mr. Steve Filed

Anti-fraud resources: