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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 Isabelle M James" <mrsjames@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:

Good day my beloved


Calvary Greetings in the name of the Lord Almighty the giver of every good thing that added no sorrow. I know this letter will definitely come to you as a huge surprise, but I implore you to take the time to go through it carefully as the decision you make will go a long way to determine my future and continued existence.

I came across your E-mail from my personal search. Afterwards I decided to email you directly believing that you will be honest to fulfill my final wish before I die. I am Mrs. Isabelle Margaret James, from Paris, France, I am 57 years old. I lost my husband and my four years old daughter in a ghastly car accident in the year 2010,The shock of the death of my only child and my husband made me four sick. I have been suffering from ovarian cancer and a high blood pressure patient (HBP) . The doctor confirmed to me that I have little time to live here on earth due to my health condition.

My late husband was a businessman and Gold merchant but he was poisoned by his business partners and my sudden illness paralysed me here in the hospital, at this moment. My late husband deposited a total sum of $15,200,000.00 with one of the leading banks but unfortunately I cannot visit the bank since I’m critically sick and powerless to do anything myself. Sadly I have no child nor relatives that will come for the money when I am dead.

Therefore, I want you to receive the money and take 40% to take care of yourself and family while 60% should be used basically on humanitarian purposes mostly to establish orphanage homes, Motherless babies, homeless privileged and disable citizens and widows. As soon as i receive your reply in my private E-mail redacted@domain.name i will send you my attorney contact to contact him. I would like to know your interest and willingness to assist me. Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks and God Bless you
Yours Sister In Christ
Mrs Isabelle M James

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