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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: "Steven Powel" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrstevenpowel@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2018 21:25:00 -0700
Subject: Business Assistance

Hello dear,
      
At first, I want to beg you earnestly to work with me in this business. Although we have not met before, but I suggest that this transaction will bring us together. Let me start by introducing myself properly to you.
       
My name is barrister Steven Powel, I am an attorney. I am 53years old and I am from London, United Kingdom. I am the personal attorney to late Engr. Hillary Wash, a citizen of United State of America who worked with BAM Construct United Kingdom for Twenty One Years. Engr. Hillary died in April, 2014. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only seven days. Late Engr. Hillary was an orphan, no wife, no child, no Parents, no brothers and no sisters.
      
However but, when Engr. Hillary was alive he deposited the sum of $10 Million USD with Forex Investment Bank in London. Presently the funds are still with the Bank and the management of the Bank wrote me last week to provide late Engr. Hillary's relation to receive this $10 Million USD or have the $10 Million USD confiscated at the end of this month.
    
My dear the reason I have contacted you is because I will like to stand you as Engr. Hillary's relation so that Forex Investment Bank will release this $10 Million USD to you, then you and I will share the money, 50% for you and 50% for me. This business will be executed under a legitimate procedure.
  
I am Engr. Hillary's attorney, the Forex Investment Bank will require me to provide a court order before they will release the $10 Million USD to you. I guarantee that I will provide the court order and make sure the $10 Million USD is release to you before I will arrange my traveling papers to come over to your country to meet with you for us to share the money. This business is 100% legal, it is very easy and simple and will be completed within five days.
    
If you accept with my proposal, please reply me immediately. All communication shall be by Email. The email address is mrstevenpowel@gmail.com
            
Please feel free to ask any question with regards to this business
          
I am waiting for your reply.
                  
Friendly Regards.
  
Barrister Steven Powel

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