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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: "ATM Department" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atmicbpl@i12.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2010 09:01:13 -0700
Subject: Attn: Beneficiary

Ref: ICBPLC/1BN
 
Attn: Beneficiary,
 
Please we need you to send me your complete postal and mailing address and along with your receiving name and your valid and direct telephone number possibly cellphone number as your ATM Card is ready for despatch. This is card had been approved by the Federal Government as your means of payment of your unclaimed funds.
 
Finally, your urgent response will expediate the despatch of your ATM Card.
 
Thanks,
 
Mr. John Agai
HEAD OF ATM CARD
INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Anti-fraud resources: