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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: "Mr. Kwame Osei." <kwame_osei2000gh@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 13:54:07 +0000
Subject: ASSIST ME

The Manager
Kaneshie Branch,
International Commercial
Bank Ghana Ltd.

Hello!

I got your contact during my search for a reliable trust worthy and honest person to introduce this transfer project with. My name is Mr. Kwame Osei. I am the manager of the International Commercial Bank Ghana, Kaneshie Branch Accra.
I am writing to solicit your assistance in the noble transfer of US$8.500.000.00. This fund is the excess of what my branch in which I am the manager made as profit during past year in my Head Office here in Accra and they will never know of this Excess.

I have since then, placed this amount of US$8.500.000.00 (Eight Million Five hundred Thousand United States Dollars) on a SUSPENCE ACCOUNT without a beneficiary.
As an officer of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money thus I am impelled to request for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account. I intend to part 30% of this fund to you while 70% shall be for me.

I do need to stress that there are practically no risk involved in this. It is going to be a bank-to-bank transfer to your nominated bank account anywhere you feel safer. All I need from you is to stand as the original depositor of this fund. If you accept this offer, I will appreciate your timely response.

With regards,
Mr. Kwame Osei.



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