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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Goss Edward" <gossedward1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: gossedward2@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:09:06 -0600
Subject: Dear friend,

Dear friend,

My name is Mr. G. Edward, a senior staff and head of computing department of
my bank.

I have only written to seek your urgent assistance in the shipment of
investment Funds involving a huge amount of money about Three Million Two
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3.2M).
I had made a secretive arrangement in regards to the shipment of the fund with
my partner from your country Philippines by name Mr Miguel Baltazar who was
supposed to received the consignment last week but unfortunately I just
received the sad news about his death!

All necessary arrangements have been concluded and consignment set to leave
London by Air Cargo Flight via Diplomatic Delivery Agent.

Note carefully the content of the crate is \"MONEY U.S Dollar $3.2 Million
Cash\" but I did not disclose it to the Courier Services as Money, rather I
informed them that the crate contain Vital \"DOCUMENTS AND EXPENSIVE ART
WORK\" belonging to my client.

I am proposing to have you receive the consignment. I propose an offer of 30%
of the $3.2M for job well done, and also ask for investment partnership with you.
Please send me your phone number and full name to enable me reach you. I can
be reached on telephone number: +447031748712

Best regards
Goss Edward

Anti-fraud resources: