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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: "MRS. SAFIA. F. GADD" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2014 08:01:38 +0100
Subject: Re: GREETINGS FROM MRS. SAFIA GADDAFI == PLS I NEED YOUR SINCERE ASSISTANCE.

My Dear,

Compliments Of The Day To You!

How are you and your family including your business? I hope is well well with you?. I wish to introduce myself! I am Mrs. Safia Farkash Gaddafi the wife of the late Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Following the recent rebellion in my country and the brutal death of my husband on the 20th October 2011, I have been thrown into a state of utter confusion, frustration and hopelessness; I have been subjected to physical and psychological torture by the security agents in Algeria where we seek refuge at present. My son was killed by the rebels for an offense he did not commit.

As a widow that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence with anybody within the country. You must have heard over the media reports and the internet on the recovery of various huge sums of money deposited by my husband in different security firms abroad, some companies willingly give up their secrets and disclosed our money confidently lodged there or many outright blackmail.

In fact the total sum discovered by the Government so far is over ($900) Million Dollars and they are not relenting to make me poor for life; I got your contact email address through my research and out of desperation decided to reach you through this medium. This is clue information of how the current Libyan government, America government and United Nation (UN) are freezing my late husband's assets. Get more details on the below links:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/21/us-libya-gaddafi-assets-idUSTRE79K42020111021

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/27/gaddafi-family-assets-frozen-queen

I will give you more information to this regard as soon as you reply. I repose great confidence in you hence my approach to you due to security network placed on my day to day affairs I cannot afford to visit the embassy so that is why I decided to contact you and I hope you will not betray the confidence I reposed on you.

I shall be grateful if you could receive the sum of US$87,500,000.00 for safe keeping for us. This arrangement is known to you and me alone. I am seriously considering relocating to your country once you take possession of the funds. I will be willing to offer you 20% of the total fund if only you will receive these funds and keep it for us.

Please note that honesty is the watch word in this transaction. I will require your contact information so that we can commence communication immediately and I will give you a more detailed picture of things. In case you don’t accept please do not let me out to the security as I am giving you this information in total trust and confidence. I will greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith.


I will appreciate your timely suggestion and interest over this matter.


Best Regards,
Mrs. Safia Farkash Gaddafi

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