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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: "Hamel Dass" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hamel.dassuk@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 19:05:19 -0800
Subject: Can I Trust You Please!

Hello,
Please consider my proposition to enable us evaluate the possibility of coperation.I am Hamel Dass writting on behalf of my late client.After his death the bank in charge of his estate contacted me to provide his Next of kin who should inherit his fortune according to the policy in such circumstances.I have written several letters to the embassy with the intent to locate any of his extended family who should be the beneficiary and my effort has been fruitless.

The board of directors just adopted a resolution and I am mandated to provide his next of kin within the next 15 days or the funds declared as abandoned and unserviceable. Well from my professional experience I can use a legal means to present you as the next of kin of my deceased client which is legally possible because you bear the same surname.Please send me your phone number and a brief introduction of yourself lets discuss further.
Regards,
Hamel Dass

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