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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Helen Ibeku" <bbg.bankgroup@gmail.com>
Reply-To: helenffamily2@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2017 15:57:03 +0000
Subject: Greetings.

Greetings .

Please excuse this humble email if it offends your sensibilities, but
I have no other means to contact you. I cannot talk on the telephone,
so I did a search for your email address, which I found on the
international business directorate email data search. I am Mrs. Helen
Ibeku, 62 years old woman, A Christian widow who is dying of
Esophageal Cancers.

Recently, My Doctor told me that I would not last for the period of
Seven Months due to cancer problem, Yes I have been touched by God to
donate an amount of money Inherited from my late husband Edward Ibeku
to you for the good work of God on Charity" People in the Street and
Helping the Orphanage which my husband derived this money from his
vast Estates and Investment in capital market, I decided to
WILL/donate the sum of USD$8.5 Million to you 30 Percent of the total
money is for your personal use While 70% of the money will go to
charity" people in the street and helping the orphanage.

I will give you the contact of Bank Manager for the releasing of the
specific amount, my personal Referrence Number Law/WILL/ 9834520012. I
will appreciate your utmost honest in this matter until the task is
accomplished as I don't want anything that will
jeopardize my last wish.
With Regards,
Mrs. Helen Ibeku.

Anti-fraud resources: