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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: "DAVID JAMES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dav-bb1@live.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Jul 2011 16:48:50 -0700
Subject: Hi Friend

Colechurch House
1 London Bridge Walk
London UK
SE1 2SS
dav.bb@live.com
 
 
Good day,
How are you doing today?
I did a lot of searching before choosing your contact online. It is with trust and sincerity that I approach you for assistance to transfer some funds into your bank account. Please do accept my apology if my mail infringes on your personal ethics.
My name is David James, A Private Lawyer based here in London. Honestly it will be my humble pleasure if we can work together.
 
I would like you to act as the next of kin to my deceased client Mr. Mark J Smith who made a deposit of Six Million Pounds Only with a Finance House few years back. He died in an auto crash with his wife Clara and only child Japheth without any registered next of kin and as such the funds now have an open beneficiary mandate with the bank. This means that any person from your country can act as the next of kin of the deceased person for claiming the inheritance funds without any risk involved.
 
If you are interested in this transactions, Please do let me know immediately so that I can give you comprehensive details on how to proceed. I urgently hope to get your response as soon as possible via my email address above.
 
 
 
Regards,
Barrister David James.
 
 

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