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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: ugo_mike@zipmail.com.br
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:15:14 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?INVESTMENT=20ASSISTANCE?=

DEAR SIR,
INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE
I AM A PRIVATE INVESTOR BASED IN THE WEST COAST OF
AFRICA.

I HAVE CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY I WISH TO INVEST IN
PRIVATE AND START-UP COMPANIES WITH POTENTIALS FOR
RAPID GROWTH IN SHORT-TERMS.

I AM INTERESTED IN PLACING PART OF THE FUND IN YOUR
COMPANY (IF ANY), IF THE BY-LAWS ALLOWS FOR FOREIGN
INVESTMENT. YOU CAN CONTACT ME THROUGH EMAIL AS WELL
AS SENDING ME YOUR CONTACT INFO OR OTHER NECESSARY
INFORMATIONS.
PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT OF THIS MAIL.

THANKS AND GOD BLESS.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
MR UGO MIKE.



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