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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: "Mike Ato" <mikeato4@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 21 May 2005 22:38:24 +0100
Subject: Respond Soonest

Favored Friend

I am Mr. Mike Ato, a Regional Branch Manager, International
Commercial Bank ltd, Ghana, West Africa. I write you this
letter in good faith and trust. Please maintain some
confidentiality after reading this letter. Also I hoped you
will not feel embarrassed as why I contacted you. I have
that conviction to contacted you hoping all will be with
your full co-operation.

I am in control of the sum of one million, eight hundred
and fifty thousand US dollars ($1,850,000), excess profit
made by our regional branch in the last quarter of the year
2004. I have carefully placed the fund in an Escrow Call
Deposit Account and did not declare it to my head office,
while accounting for the end of the year fiscal profits.

Can I really trust you to hold this money for me until I
arriveyour country and pick it up myself and you deduct 30%
ofthe total money as your remuneration? If you accept my
offer you can contact me immediately. If you do not accept
can you forget I contacted you?

I want you to get me a good current account in your
country where I can move this money. I will discreetly give
you all the information concerning the account so that you
can apply to our Head Office for the transfer of the money
to your account.

You shouldn't be afraid, as it will be just a smooth
bank-to-bank transfer. There is practically no danger to
your person.

I am hoping for your perfect understanding of my situation
and position.

Thanks
Mike





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