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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: "abu sule" <abu_sule@hotmail.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 12:53:24 +0200
Subject: FROM ABU SULE

ATTN:Managing Director


I am a financial consultant based in Burkina Faso. I have a client (a widow)she
has USDM35,000,000 with a private equity investment trust company for fekeeping
only. She wishes to invest in a stable economy.



Her interest is in companies with potentials for rapid growth in long terms.
My client is interested in placing part of her fund in your company,if your
country's bilaws allows foreign investment.


You can contact me for more details via my e-mail address abu_sule@hotmail.com
with your reference.

Yours faithfully,
ABU SULE


Anti-fraud resources: