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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: "Mrs. Victoria Okorie" <bshpparker@yahoo.it> (may be fake)
Reply-To: victoria_oko@yahoo.it
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 21:16:24 -0800
Subject: Attn: Sir,

Attn: Sir,

It is quit unfortunate that year 2003 had passed without your dream being accomplished. Note that I vehemently wrote more than three mails to you as regards a good measure for your contract payment but you did not see to listen to me.

I wish to inform you once more that I am ever willing to assist you get your contract payment without you sending any money here. Note that I will handle every charge here but you must give me a promissory note stating your
willingness to give me a reasonable amount of money from your contract payment immediately you get the payment.
You should try and get back to me as soon as possible for more details. The
new development will only last for one week.
Regards from,

Mrs. Victoria Okorie
(Deputy Director for payment Federal Ministry of finance Nigeria)


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