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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: "MARTHINS EZRA" <dearmarthins03@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: dearmarthins4@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:43:34 -0800
Subject:

Dear Friend
I must confess my agitation is real, and my words is my bond, in this proposal. My father revealed to me secretly that he deposited some certain amount of money in one of the local banks in Ghana where i'm presently .He revealed to me that the money was placed under a fixed deposit account I am contacting you, for you to assist me transfer this money in your private bank account, they said the amount is $8,7million usd United States dollars.If you are willing to help me kindly let me have your bank particulars:
1. Account name
2. Account number
3. Bank address, telephone and fax number
I am compensating you with 30 % of the total money amount, now I really wants to invest this money in your country.Honestly I want you to believe that this transaction is real and never a joke. My father gave me the original copies of the certificate of deposit and Bank Slip issued to him by LOCAL BANK on the date of deposit, for you to be clarify, I do not expose my self to anybody I see, I believe that you are able to keep this transaction secret for me because this money is the hope of my life, it is important.Please get back to me immediately after you must have gone through my message fill free and make it urgent.That is the reason why I offered you 30 % of the total money amount, and in case of any other necessary expenses you might come across during this transaction.

N.B: Try and negotiate for me some profitable blue chip investment opportunities which is risky free, which can invest this money when it is your account, personally I am interested in estate management and hotel business, please advise me. Get back to me immediately you receive this message for more explanation. And promise me you will be faithful and trustworlthy considering my situation and not to betray me. I wait for your urgent reply.Thank you.
Best regards
MARTHINS


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