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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: "Ghali Umar Esq" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:42:21 +0100
Subject: Soliciting Your Interest

Good day.

Sorry to intrude into your privacy. I am Ghali Umar, Attorney at law, and the personal Attorney to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. She has asked that I look for somebody that can be trusted for a discreet business partnership. Should you be interested in doing business with her, you should let me know so that I can send you her contact information as she insist on discussing the business with you personally. You should send me your full names, address and telephone number so that my client can call you personally

Regards,

Ghali Umar

Anti-fraud resources: