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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: Anna Cooper <mrs.anna2coper@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2022 09:28:28 +0200
Subject: My health has gotten worse

Hello Dear.

Following your silence to my previous email, I have chosen to contact
you again.

I am Mrs. Anna Cooper, from Australia, currently residing in London,
United Kingdom, a widow to the late Dr. Andrew Cooper. I am 77 years
old and presently suffering from Leukemia.

My health has gotten worse and just two weeks ago my doctor informed
me that my condition has reached a critical stage, and that I have
just 3 months left. This confirmation from my doctor was and still is
devastating news; it is hard to know that you have just a little time
left to live here.

My late husband was a contractor in both South Africa and London, he
died in a plane crash and during the period of our marriage we could
not bear any child. My late husband was very wealthy and after his
death, I inherited all his businesses and wealth both in South Africa
and London-United Kingdom.

After the doctor’s medical pronunciation that I have just a few months
to live, I decided to divide my wealth to contribute to your country
and Africa where my late husband as a contractor made lots of money. I
want to assist you with the funds to do great charity work in your
country, this is my last wish. I selected you after searching a few
websites; I prayed and was led to you. I am willing to donate the sum
of One Million, Six Hundred Thousand Pounds (£1,600,000.00) to the
less privileged through you.

Please I want to transfer this money to you as I am traveling to South
Africa soonest to have my lawyer amend my WILL. If you can handle this
fund and are very sure to do charity work on my behalf, then I will
include your name in my WILL when in South Africa and from there I
will travel to Australia to meet a specialist as I want to be buried
alongside my late husband when I pass on. Note that this fund is in
the financial institution and upon my instruction; I will file an
application through my family attorney for the transfer of the money
into your account for the said purpose.

Lastly, I honestly pray that this money when transferred will be used
for the said purpose even though I might be late then. I have come to
find out that wealth is vanity and I made a promise to God that my
wealth will be used to support the poor and assist the sick. Do let me
know if you will be able to handle this fund and use it for the said
purpose so that I will inform my attorney and my bank on my decision.
Reply to me using (mrs.anna1coper@gmail.com)

Mrs. Anna Cooper.

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