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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: Barbara Simmons <simmonsbarbara809@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2023 06:14:17 +0100
Subject: GOOD INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

--
From: Mrs. Barbara Simmons


Hi Dear, I am Mrs. Barbara Simmons a widow and deaf woman,my husband
left behind the sum of 5m usd in a bank in the United States before he
died

I want to invest this money that my husband left behind,although am
very old so i need someone who is vibrant and has an already existing
business that needs funding

The funds is with a bank in the United States and i have the deposit
certificate of the funds,so if your business will be profitable or you
have an idea of a business that can yield profit, kindly get in touch
with me via email for discussion so i can inform you on how to get the
funds from the bank


Once am convinced, i will inform the bank that i have appointed you as
the family Trustee and that the funds should be paid to you



Awaiting your prompt response please

Your Sister in Christ,
Mrs. Barbara Simmons
simmonsbarbara809@gmail.com

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