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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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Fraud email example:

From: <paddy2@2by2.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 08:47:33 -0800
Subject: PROPOSAL



31 Eugene Marais Avenue,
Constantia,
South Africa.

(URGENT BUSINESS)

My name is Mr.Victor Paddy, and I work in the International operation
department in a Local Bank here in South Africa. On a routine
inspection
I discovered a dormant domiciliary account with a BAL. Of 36,000,000
(Thirty Six Million USD) on further discreet investigation, I also
discovered that the account holder has long since passed away (dead)
leaving no
beneficiary to the account.

The bank will approve this money to any foreigner because the former
operator of the a/c is a foreigner and from Iraq in particular and I
am
certainly sure that he is dead, and nobody will come again for the
claim
of this money A foreigner can only claim this money with legal claims
to
the account Holder; therefore I need your cooperation in this
transaction.

I will provide the necessary information needed in order to claim this
money, But you will need to open an account where this can be
transferred. If interested send your private Telephone No. And Fax
number
including full details of the account to be used for the Deposit I wish
for
utmost confidentiality in handling this transaction as my job and the
future
of my family would be jeopardized if it were breached.

I want to assure you that the transaction is without risk if due
process is followed accordingly. Finally I will give you 25% for your
corporation.

Yours,

Mr.Victor Paddy










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