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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: "Benson Shamu" <benson_s21@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2005 14:51:15 +0400
Subject: strictly personal

Good Day,

I am benson Shamu from Zimbabawe .I am an ORPHAN being that I lost my
father and mother a couple of month ago. My father was a serving
Director of the Cocoa exporting board until his death . He was
assassinated
last january by the rebels following the political uprising.Before his
death he had a foreign account up to the tune of 10.,500,000.00 U.S$
which he told the bank was for the importation of cocoa processing
machine.
I want you to do me a favour to receive this funds to a safe account in
your country or any safer place as the beneficiary .I have plans to do
investment in your country, like real estate and industrial production.
This is my reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing to
assist me indicate your interest in replying soonest
Thanks and best
regards .

Faithfully,
Benson Shamu


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