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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: "ANNA MARES" <scott@mindfulliving.net>
Reply-To: annmares123@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2023 03:04:13 -0700
Subject: KINDLY REPLY ME

Greetings,

I know you will be surprised reading from me today but consider this a divine intervention. My name is Anna Mares, a widow and terminally ill. I am directed to give all I have to charity through someone I never met. I got your email through my random search online and deep in my heart, I strongly believe you can handle this divine cause hence the reason you are reading my email today.

I desire to entrust $10,500,000 United States Dollars in your care and It's my last wish that you use this money for charity as my health no longer permits me... Assisting the less privileged, widows and people affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic. I am willing to give you a substantial part of the funds for assisting and will need your word never to betray my trust.

Reply to my email so I can give you more information.

God bless you,
Anna.

Anti-fraud resources: