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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Wilson Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mikeatm9000@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:57:33 +0100
Subject: Good Day

Hello,
 
We have been instructed to pay $850,000 dollars to you via ATM Card system
by a bank in New York USA our principal agent.
You are chosen electronically for an atm lottery conducted randomly on
behalf of a software company for internet users worldwide.
 
By this method, a domicilairy account will be created in your name and  you
will be given an account number and a pin code to enable you check and
monitor your account online while an DEBIT CARD will be sent to you to for
withdrawal from any ATM center worldwide.
 
The card is activated through the list of banks you prefer in your country
that operates ATM card system.
 
There are 250 banks in the world on the " ATM International Card Operation
System"  you can withdraw your money from depending on the one you prefer
that operates ATM withdrawer system in 149 countries and nearer to you.
 
You are requested to contact our ATM PAYMENT CENTER. Attention MR. MICHAEL
BROWN on this email
 
You are  requested to contact him immediately so that you can be told what
is require for the account to be activated as well as delivery of the card
to you.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Wilson Johnson
Director
Credit Payment
Frank Associates Inc.
London
 

Anti-fraud resources: