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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: "David Clay" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dbarker50m@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2017 18:41:48 +0200
Subject: Ref: Information about Your late Relation/Family member- Final Notice

Hello,
Re: Information about Your late Relation.
I am David Barker by name; I work with a Financial Institution and was obliged over a year now to find the next of Kin/Beneficiary to the estate of a late client, He is related to you going by
same surname and country of origin. I was his portfolio manager for about 6 years before his death three years ago. He died intestate, and no one has come to claim his assets (if you die
without a will, it means you have died intestate; and when this happens, the intestacy laws of the state where you reside will determine how your property is distributed upon your death.
This includes anyBank Accounts, Securities,RealEstate, and other assets you own at the time of death).
We have tried on several occasions over this year to find you as a surviving next of kin/relative but it has remained unsuccessful. This is my second but final attempt to reach you in view
of this subject matter.
There are estates, (Cash deposits) etc. belonging to your late family member, this has remained unclaimed. Once I receive your information and endorse same appropriately, I shall provide
you with all the privileged information of the deceased and also will give you guidelines on how to realize this goal without the breach of the law. Contact me immediately for more information
and to begin the legal process of redeeming your lawful entitlement before the bank is compelled by law to hand over the moneyto the government.
I anticipate your early response.
Yours Sincerely,
David Barker.

Anti-fraud resources: