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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: "Mathew James" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jamemathew271@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2018 08:09:41 -0800
Subject: waiting to hear from you

I am  James Mathew, personal attorney to Late Engr.Cook, Who is a national of your country.He died on a motor accident here in London years ago On July 7th, 2010, an Oil consultant with the British Petroleum Corporation,made a numbered time(Fixed)deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty five Million,united states dollars) After several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet,to locate any member of his family but of no avail,hence I contacted you.
 
I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where my client lodged these huge deposits.Particularly,the bank where the deceased had an account valued at about US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty five Million,united states dollars)Consequently, the bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have his account confiscated within a short time.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over some years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you share the same Name so that the processing of the account valued at US$25,000,000.00 can be paid to you for both of us to share the funds; 55%me and 45% to you, while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require.
 
With your Cooperation and assistance I will secure all necessary legal documents that can be used to backup the claim in your favour All I require is your honest/Sincere cooperation to enable us see this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get back to me with your below informations, to enable us discuss further and thanks for your understanding with my proposal.
 
 
Your Mobile Telephone number, your full names, and your contact address.
 
 
Thanks for your kind cooperation
Barrister Mathew James

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