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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: Gabriel Tiganus <gabrieltiganus@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:38:47 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: My trip to London

I Hope you get this on time, sorry I didn't inform you about my trip to the UK for a program, I'm presently in London & I am having some difficulties here because I was robbed of my wallet and other valuable things on my way to the hotel. I want you to please assist me with a loan of $3,500 today to sort out my hotel bills and to get myself back home.

I have spoken to both the embassy & police here but they are not responding to the matter effectively, I will appreciate whatever you can afford to assist me with, I'll refund the money back to you as soon as I return, let me know if you can be of any help. I don't have a phone where i can be reached so please email me.

Best Regards,
Gabriel

Anti-fraud resources: