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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: "Mrs. Ellen Costello (Citibank" <admin@coltersbbq.com>
Reply-To: bjoh.hedricks@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2017 14:35:17 +0000
Subject: GREETINGS FROM YOUR RELATIVE ACCOUNT OFFICER.

GREETINGS FROM YOUR RELATIVE ACCOUNT OFFICER.
Before going further, kindly know that your late Cousin (DECEASED) have
paid for all taxes and expenses that covered the release of this
inheritance sum US$38.2M (Thirty-Eight Million, Two Hundred Thousand
United State Dollars) to you next of kin without question.
The Bank and Ministry which deceased executed contracts only need your
response with information listed below to released your inheritance
funds, confirming you are the same Person OR Relative, whose name and
email in deceased account file being next of kin for immediate payment.
1) Your Full Name and Address.
2) Your Telephone, Mobile, Office & Home Number.
3) The Copy of Your ID card (Passport or Driver’s License) needed for
identification.
I withheld Deceased name and details, until you respond with above
information to avoid wrong payment. Although, Citibank has giving report
that you are dead, but I disagreed that report to contact you on this
same email which deceased indicated to reach you next of kin for payment
upon his demised.
Your prompt response is needed, so the Bank in charge of payment will
know you are alive, not dead.
The Citibank has instructed Ministry of finance Ghana to release above
funds to you upon your response, confirming the same name which deceased
mentioned in your Passport or Driver License to avoid wrong payment.
Kindly contact me through alternative email (j.citigretirees@yahoo.com)
for more details. I shall give you documents, which the Citibank and
Parliament of Ghana will request for your identification to release
inheritance funds to you.
Regards,
Mr. Johannes Hendricks (Retired Banker) I am South African Citizen and I
was Account Officer to Engr. Jack for Nine years, before he died.

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