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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: "John Napier." <john_napier6@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: johnnapier5@excite.com
Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 21:55:59 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION FRIEND.

ATTENTION FRIEND.

I am F.S.A. registered personnel in AMSTERDAM HOLLAND. I have been
in charge of a
particular dormant account with a balance of (£15.5 million british
pounds sterling).
The
account has been dormant since 2002 and the department has changed
custodians of the account and its funds in the last 3 (three) years,
without
anybody laying claims to it.

I need a very dependable and accountable business -minded person who
will
help me to claim the funds, so that it would not be reverted to the
authorities. I assume you understand the reason for not disclosing
exclusive
data at this stage, consequently I require your answer using this email
address: john_napier6@yahoo.com The addition of your direct phone number
to your reply will be highly appreciated

I gladly await your positive reply.

Regards,
John Napier.



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