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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: "Mr.Efong John" <unoffice999@att.net>
Reply-To: <mr.efongjohn@ymail.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:38:52 -0000
Subject: Treat As Urgent ............ From Mr. Efong John

Hi,
 
Can you handle US$35M for an contract investment fund of Late Mr.Kirsten
Windus (FIXED) deposited with First Bank Plc and can you be trusted to
execute this project with me.Please kindly get back to me with your direct
Cell-phone Number, Home Telephone Number and Contact Address if you can
really be trusted, to enable us discuss further.
 
I await your prompt response.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr.Efong John

Anti-fraud resources: