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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: "Philip Zamza" <philip_zamza@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: zamza_philip@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 2 Jul 2005 12:13:39 +0200
Subject: INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE

Mr. Philip Zamza
Email address: zamza_philip@hotmail.com



INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE


Dear Sir/Madam

Your profile information was courtesy of global contact investment bureau (GCIB) here in Southern Africa and I am Mr. Philip Zamza a security officer and special representative of Front of Liberation of Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) from the rich diamond/oil district of Cabinda, Northern Province of Angola presently residing in South Africa on political reasons.

I am seeking your assistance to invest US$6.5 million dollars) in your company/country for the future of my family because of economics instability in my country.

Kindly contact me back for further discussion and strictly insist on
Speaking/email to Mr. Philip Zamza and please note that my position demands absolute confidentiality on this matter.

Even when you decide otherwise, I will be most grateful if you can maintain the confidentiality of this matter.

Thanks in anticipation of your response.

Regards,
Mr. Philip Zamza


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