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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: INFO 2010 <westafrica_ec@live.fr>
Reply-To: remitdepttbjb@zadarma.com
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:09:52 +0430
Subject: URGENT MESSAGE NEEDED

Sir we have not heard from you for your inheritance compensation funds valued at (One Million United States Dollars)

Meanwhile, we just want to let you that you have two day's from today to gat back to us or the government of Benin Republic will confiscate your wining compensation funds. Therefore, you should be fast and contact the paying department for your compensation funds. and send him your full Name,Telephone number your correct mailing address .

Contact Person Dr,E, Jones
Director Foreign Remittance Department
Central Bank Benin (CBB)
Tel: 229 97011587
Email: inforemitdepttbj@zadarma.com


Signed Mr, Wesley Greenfield
Director (CBB)



Anti-fraud resources: