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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Online Transfer" <onlinetransfers@ukcitibank.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 07:00:50 +0000
Subject: RE: Money OrderSM

Dear Valued Customer,

We thank you for your mail, the money willl get to you at your doorstep or bank account as soon as you send the shipment tracking number for verification.

Thanks.

 



 




From: Gerhard Klinger <gklnebay@googlemail.com>
To: onlinetransfers@ukcitibank.com
Subject: Money OrderSM
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 14:23:26 +0900

Hello Citibank,
 
I have a buyer in Nigeria who has sent payment through you. Can you explain how I will receive this payment.
 
Thanks!
 
 

Anti-fraud resources: