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

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Scott Graham" <usman_1979a@hotmail.co.uk> (may be fake)
Reply-To: scottham56@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2005 14:43:42 +0100
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam,

Lloyds TSB Group plc
25 Gresham Street London
EC2V 7HN.
Greetings,
I discovered a dormant account in my office, as Group finance director
with Lloydsbank London. It will be in my interest to transfer this fund
worth Nine Million Pounds Sterling (£9,000,000) in an account
offshore. If you can be a collaborator/partner to this please indicate
interest immediately for us to proceed. Remember this is absolutely
confidential, as I am seeking your assistance as the beneficiary of
this unclaimed funds, since we are not allowed to operate a foreign
account, Your contact phone numbers and name will be necessary for this
effect, I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not
disappoint me.
My Regards,
Mr.Graham Scott
Group Finance
Director
Lloyds bank London.


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