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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: "United Nations Compensation." (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2010 01:11:26 +0530
Subject: How are you today?

United Nations Organisations (UNO)
International Monetary Funds (IMF)
Association of Great Britain &
Northern Ireland (UNA-UK).
Registered No. 2885557.
Address: 3, Whitehall Court London
SW1A 2EL United Kingdom.
Fax: +(44) 171 587-3210.
Direct Tel: +(44) 7010030037., eMail: william_ford900@hotmail.com

Attn Dear:

I am William Ford, A humanitarian expert working with the United Nations Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I have been directed to contact you today and inform you that United Nations Organisation (UNO) and International Monetary Funds (IMF) have completed every arrangement to compensate millions of people living in India because of severe hardship caused by the 26th November 2008 Mumbai Terrorist attacks on Taj Mahal hotel and other few places in commercial city of Mumbai India. This terrorist attacks (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7751160.stm) which led to death of many people including foreigners have been a subject of debate between India and Pakistan with the United Nations security council since the last 2 years.

Your names was therefore being selected through a randomely computer ballot system from a Database of over 10 Million Indian email addresses and your names and email address have been approved to receive an instant cash of US$1,000,000.00 (One Million United States Dollars Only) as a compensation payment to improve people's standard of living in India. Subsequent transfer of your compensation funds to your nominated bank account in india will be completed finally by the "Barclays Bank Plc London" and you are advised to contact my office immediately through email and through this telephone numbers +(44) 7010030037. You are directed to send your personal information such as: (1). Your Full names, (2). Your full contact address, (3) Your Mobile numbers (4) Your Age and occupation Etc.

Note the Barclays Bank Plc London will contact you for final arrangement on how to release your compensation funds to you and to your family as soon as i receive the above requested information from your side. After receiving this money you must be sure it will be used properly by you and your family members including the poor people around you that does not have the opportunioty to receive this compensation payment from the United Nations office. Onbehalf of the United Nations we are very sorry for any damage this terrorist attacks must have caused to your family and friends. Thanks for your understanding !

Yours sincerely,
Mr. William Ford.
United Nations Agency.
London United Kingdom.

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