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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: "HAWAII NATIONAL BANK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hnbnk.mb@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2017 21:57:54 +0100
Subject: TREAT AS UTMOST IMPORTANCE.

From the office of the Branch manager
Hawaii National Bank
Main branch
45 north king street Honolulu, HI 96817
United States of America.
Email: hnbnk.mb@gmail.com
Monday -Thursday 8am-4pm
Friday 8am-5pm
 
We received instruction from ECOWAS financial authorities in charge of debt reconciliation/compensation to remit the sum of $1.9m to you. Kindly confirm your photo ID and reconfirm your personal details as stated below to enable us start the processing immediately.
 
1 Your full name: 
2 Your present contact address: 
3 Your telephone & Fax numbers: 
4 Your Occupations/age/sex: 
5 Your Private/alternative Email Address:
 
Your prompt response will enable us effect a quick release .
 
CONGRATULATIONS.
 
Joe Yit
Branch Manager
Hawaii National Bank

Anti-fraud resources: