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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: "Ulster Bank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <account_dept@ulster-online.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2018 16:54:50 -0700
Subject: PAYMENT INSTRUCTION///

Attention:
 
I am contacting you based on the new arrangement concluded by the Bank of England to release your compensation sum of US$2,850,000.00  (Two Million Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand  US Dollars Only)
 
The new arrangement is that  the Security department of the bank has arranged and packaged your fund to be delivered to you in  cash at your address as stated below:
 
 
 
All arrangements has been concluded and the  only fee you need to pay now for the delivery is US$550.
 
Please kindly find attached a photo of the box containing your fund which is ready to be shipped to you as soon as this fee is received from you. This photo was taken by the packaging department and the box has been sealed up. The secret combination codes is contained in the sealed tamper proof envelop which will be delivered to you together with the box. Once you take possession of the delivery, only you will be able to open the envelop and have access to the box.
 
Regards,
 
Jeffery Mills

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