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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: "mslindar47@gmail.com" <mslindar47@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 04:46:51 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Greetings



Greetings:

I'm Linda
Richards, principal attorney at Richards
& Richards Solicitors. Could you please assist us in locating the relatives
to a deceased client of mine who interestingly shares the same last name as
yours. I will be furnishing you with his details on receipt of your response
which will serve as a confirmation that my email got through to
you.

Accept the assurance of our warm regards.

I
remain:

Linda
Richards
For: Richards & Richards
Solicitors

 

 

--------
The
information contained in this message is confidential and is intended for the
stated addressee(s) only. E-mails are susceptible to alteration. Neither
Richards & Richards Attorney, nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates,
shall be liable for the message if altered, changed or falsified. It may
therefore only be read, copied and used by the intended recipient(s), and must
not under any circumstance be re-transmitted in an amended form without our
consent. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact us and or the
sender immediately by return e-mail or by telephone. Please then delete it and
do not disclose its contents to any other person. Richards & Richards
Attorney

Anti-fraud resources: