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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: "PETER ASARE" <ptr_asare@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 5 May 2005 02:31:17 +0100
Subject: GOLD DUST OFFER

DEAR SIR,


WE ARE PRODUCERS OF ALLUVIAL GOLD DUST IN GHANA WEST AFRICA
OUR COMPANY NOW HAS IN STOCK 180KILOS A .U GOLD DUST AT THE RATE OF
$8,000 USD PER KILO WHICH WE INTEND TO TEAM UP WITH ANY PROSPECTIVE FOREIGN INVESTOR TO SEND IT TO HIS/HER DESTINATIONS IN ORDER TO USE THE
PROCEEDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF MODERN MINNING EQUIPMENTS AND TO ENHANCE US FOR OUR PRODUCTIONS.

WE ARE WAITING FOR YOUR URGENT REPLY.

BEST REGARDS.


Anti-fraud resources: