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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: Helen George <helngg4@msn.com>
Reply-To: <helengeorge_58@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:48:48 +0000
Subject: Beloved









Beloved,

I am Sister Helen George. A widow to Late Robert George, am 61 years old, suffering from long time cancer of the blood.and now undergoing medical treatment in London,
Before the death of my husband we were both very close as husband and wife and since his death I decided not to re-marry.

When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of GBP 5,500,000.00 (Five million Five hundred thousand pounds) with a Finance Company.Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next few months due to my cancer illness. Hence I want to donate the money to you for the development of evangelism and also as aids for the less privileged and Charity around you.

I will give you more details about this as i hear from you.
May the peace of the Lord be with you.

Sister Helen George

Anti-fraud resources: