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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: "IFEX LOTTERY" <paymentcenter@ifexprogramme.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 06:06:44 +0000
Subject: Bank Information Needed.

Ifex Lottery Oganization
Affiliate of International Lottery organization.
Address 24 Grosvenor Gardens London
SW1W 0DH United Kingdom.
Tel:+44 7040 113182 Fax:+44 7092864870.

Attention: Bill Creek,

Your mail to my office well received. Your won prize claim usd$3.5 Million
will be wired to you as requested.

To make the transfer of your won prize claim, you are advice to provide
immediately your receiving bank information in which you want the fund wired
to. Once the information is received, our paying bank here in England will
make the transfer.

Congratulations,

Dr. John Owen.



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Anti-fraud resources: