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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: "James Collins" <>
Reply-To: Micholly5@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 04 Apr 2023 11:07:39 -0700
Subject: Good News

My Name is James Collins, I have a very confidential Proposal that will benefit both of us, I am auditor to my client who passed away after a brief illness leaving the sum of ($12.8 Million) without any next of kin and is a businessman.

I have researched the account holder family living no trace of any beneficiary of any kind. The importance/role in this proposed deal is the fact that I have people who are well positioned and officially capable of leveraging a successful claim of the available fund, by presenting you as a beneficiary. We are equally capable of setting up the internal paperwork, as a basis to officially make it possible for you to be recognized as the bona-fide next of kin and beneficiary to the available fund, which of course, will be eventually split between us on terms to be agreed. The sharing of the fund is 45% for you while 45% for me. and 10% to cover our expenses after the deal. Please keep this absolutely confidential for security reasons and tell me if you are interested but I can assure you 100% risk free as I know how to go about it,
you can reach us through our direct email (Micholly5@gmail.com). You are to provide your Address, Direct telephone number and a copy of your identification to enable us to proceed.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours truly,
James Collins

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