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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: "Willima Paul" <williams_paul@unionbankplcworld.com>
Date: Thu, 01 Sep 2005 03:29:53 +0000
Subject: NEXT OF KIN

ATTENTION :SIR/MADAM

I MUST CRAVE YOUR INDULGENCE TO INTRODUCE MYSELF AS DR.WILLIAMS PAUL,AN
AUDIT OFFICER IN UNION BANK PLC BRANCH OFFICE. I GOT YOUR CONTACT THROUGH
INTERNATIONAL WEB DIRECTORIES.
IN THE DISCHARGE OF MY DUTY, I STUMBLED ON THIS DOMICILIARY ACCOUNT THAT HAS
REMAINED DORMANT FOR SIX YEARS NOW WITH THIRTY MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS
ONLY ($30,000,000.00) IN IT.
ON PERSONAL INVESTIGATION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE ACCOUNT HOLDER LATE ANDREAS
SCHRANNER DIED ON PLANE CLASH ACCIDENT WITH THE MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY, SON
INLAW AND GRAND CHILDREN WHO SUPPOSE BE THE NEXT OF KIN TO THE AMOUNT.
YOU ARE ADVISE TO TAKE A LOOK ON HOMEPAGE BELOW:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
I AM WRITING YOU SO THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER IN PARTNERSHIP TO CLAIM
THISAMOUNT OF MONEY INTO YOUR ACCOUNT AS THE NEXT OF KIN HENCE THE DEPOSITOR
WAS A FOREIGNER. ITS SIMPLE PROCESS THAT WILL TAKE A SHORT WHILE TO TRANSFER
THIS $30 MILLION INTO YOUR ACCOUNT. ACCORDING TO OUR FINANCIAL LAW, AFTER
THIS YEAR,THE BANK MANAGEMENT WILL CONFISCATE THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY AS
UNCLAIM BILL AND WILL TRANSFER IT INTO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT IF NO ONE
APPLIES FOR CLAIM.
IF I HEAR FROM YOU, I WILL TELL YOU THE OPERATIONAL METHOD WE CAN USE TO
CLAIM THIS SAID FUND INTO YOUR ACCOUNT FOR OUR MUTUAL BENEFIT. AND ALSO
INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER FOR VOICE COMMUICATION.
You can get back to me via this e-mail:williams_paul2002@myway.com

SINCERELY YOURS,
DR WILLIAMS PAUL


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