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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: patrickumtanta@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 11:24:38 +0200
Subject: Hello

Dear friend,
I am Patrick Umtanta, an accountant with the ministry
of
Energy and natural resources South Africa, presently
we discovered the sum of 19.6 million
British pounds sterling, floating in our suspense
Account.

This money as a matter of fact was an over invoiced
Contract payment which has been approved for payment
Since 1999, now we want to secretly transfer
This money out for our personal use into an overseas
Account if you will allow us to use your account to
Receive this fund, we shall give you 20% for all your
Effort and expenses you will incur if you agree to
Help. This is just a brief detail on this transaction
If you are ready and will to give us a chance please
For more confidentiality Contact me on my private
email address patrickumtanta@yahoo.com
for more details.

Thanks & God Bless

Patrick Umtanta


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