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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 Helen Egobia" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <servicemail32@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2020 05:08:03 -0700
Subject: ATM VISA DEBIT CARD OWNER

Attention Please!!!
 
ATM VISA DEBIT CARD OWNER
 
I have registered your ATM VISA CARD of ($8.5 million  USD) with
Universal Courier  Express with registration code Number (
UN775605594BN ).
please contact the delivery Company with your information such as:-
Your Name, Your
Address and Your Telephone Number.
 
Contact Person:  CARLOS MILES
E-mail: (servicemail32@yahoo.com)
 
Note: I have paid for the Insurance & activation charges.The only fee
you have to pay is the compulsory delivery fee only.Please indicate
the registration Number and ask
him to provide you the information to send the delivery fee.
 
Best Regards,
Mrs Helen Egobia

Anti-fraud resources: