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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: Angela Louis <angela01louis@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2011 18:41:28 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Greeting dear,


Greeting dear,
 
Compliment of the day to you,please i don't want this short note to be a burden to you or in any way meet you at the bad mood, I have a proposal for you however is not mandatory nor Will I in any manner compel you to honour against your Will your profile pushed me to send you this mail.
 
I am Angela Louis 19 years young and the only daughter of my late parents Mr.and Mrs. Bob Louis My father was a highly reputable business Magnet-(a cocoa and oil merchant)who operated in the capital of Ivory coast during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad.
 
Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who travelled with him at that time but God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 5 years young, since then my father took me so special. Before his death he called the secretary who accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of  Four  Million five hundred thounsand United State Dollars.(USD$ 4,500,000.00) left in one of the leading bank hear Abidjan CoteD'Iviore and the money was placed in a fixed deposit account.
 
He told me that he deposited the money in my name, I am just 19 years young and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. This is because i have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivory Coast . The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. Dearest one I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these few questions
 
1. Can you honestly help me as your sister? 
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the money is in your account? 
 
Please, consider this and get back to me as soon as possible.
Thank you so much and may God bless you.
Yours Sincerely One,
Angela Louis.

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