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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: "ENGR. ADAMS" <idiomcl@yahoo.co.in> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2005 06:15:16 +0100
Subject: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


Email: idiomst@yahoo.co.in
mclsadams@hotmail.com

Dear Friend,

After due deliberation with my partners,We decided to contact you on a
Mutual business relationship which is highly classified and profitable to both
parties (You and Us).

Because of the high security measure put in place as regards this transaction,
no additional information will be disclosed untill you reply to ascertain your contact,
and as soon as you reply, I will forward to you our proposal along-side the neccessary
information to enlighten and guard you as regards this business.

To make you less curious,Your contact is gotten from our oil and gas chambers of commerce
and industry, and we believe you will are the right person to carry-out this transaction.
No further information will be disclosed until you reply, as this business is highly classified
as I earlier stated.

Best regards,

ENG. DR. Adams I. Saint Michael

Anti-fraud resources: