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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: "United Nations Office" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <un_hrs@live.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:57:21 +0100
Subject: UN HUMANITARIAN RELIEF SCHEME

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE
FUNDS RELIEF DEPARTMENT

You have been awarded a total sum of 1,450,000.00 GBP by the United
Nations Funds Relief Organization, your payment would be made through
UN Master Card Payment Center this is an instruction passed
by the United Nations in respect to all over delayed payment, debt
re-scheduling and defrauded victims.

Kindly provide the details below for delivery.

1. Valid Delivery Address.
2. Full Names.
3. Phone Number.

Reply to this email address: un_hrs@live.com
Telephone: +44 702 403 1372

Regards,

Foreign Service Director
United Nations Humanitarian Department.
UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION INC
Tel: +44 702 403 1372.
Fax: +44 709-284-5598.

Anti-fraud resources: