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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: "Williams & Linda" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rogn1@laposte.net>
Date: Sat, 26 Nov 2011 20:27:05 -0000
Subject: Williams & Linda

Dearest One,

We are contacting you to be our Partner in investment projects in your country under your management and control with the Sum of FIVE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS (US$5,500,000.00) we inherited from our Late Father while we continue my education which stopped due to the death of our father there in your country.

Due to our age, We cannot invest this money by ourself because we have no investment experience.

Please send us your details about your business and contacts if you are interested and we will send to you a more detailed explanation.

Yours Respectfully,
Williams & Linda

Anti-fraud resources: