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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: "Michael Leydens" <info_mleydens@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 15:55:06 +0000
Subject: PARTNERSHIP

From: Michael Leydens
      Manager First Citi Trust
      Finance and Security Company
      United Kingdom.


Dear Friend,

My name is Michael Leydens,I am the regional manager of the first citi trust finance and security company in united kingdom. I got your information during my search through the Internet. I am  married with a daugter. It may interest you to hear that I am a man of PEACE and don't want problem,I only hope we can assist each other. If you don't want this business offer kindly forget it as I will not contact you again.

I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit both of us,as the regional manager of the FIRST CITI TRUST FINANCE AND SECURITY COMPANY; it is my duty to send in a financial report to my head office at the end of each year. On the course of the last year 2004 end of year report, I discovered that my branch in which I am the manager made three million five hundred and fifty thousand dollars [3,550.000.00] which my head office are not aware of and will never be aware of. I have since place this fund on what we call SUSPENSE ACCOUNT without any beneficiary.

As an officer of the bank I can not be directly connected to this money,so this is why i am contacting you for us to work as a team so that you can assist receive this money into your bank account for us to SHARE. While you will have 40% of the total fund. Note there are practically no risk involved,it will be bank to bank transfer,all I need from you is to stand claim as the original depositor of this fund who made the deposit with our branch so that my Head office can order the transfer to your designated bank account. If you accept this offer to work with me,I will appreciate it very much.

As soon as I receive your response I will send you details on how we can achieve it successfully.

Best regards,
Mr Michael Leydens.

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