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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: "Philip Mensah" <jacodisk005@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: philmeh2005@walla.com
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 12:28:20 +0000
Subject: ASSISTANCE/INVESTMENT.

DEAR FRIEND,

I AM PHILLIP NELSON MENSAH FROM BRONG, AHAFO, GHANA. I WANT YOU TO ASSIST ME
CLAIM THIS FUNDS {us$9.5m} AND INVEST PART OF IT FOR ME ON ANY PROFITABLE
BUSINESS THAT SUGGESTED BY YOU IN YOUR COUNTRY. I INHERITED IT FROM MY LATE
FATHER.

PRESENTLY THE FUNDS IS DEPOSITED WITH A SECURITY COMPANY, THE FUNDS CONTAIN
IN A SILVER ALUMINIUM BOXES. IT IS SEALED AIRTIGHT, I HAVE THE KEYS TO OPEN
THE BOXES, I AM THE NEXT OF KIN TO MY LATE FATHER'S VAULT ACCOUNT. MY
FATHER DIDN'T REGISTERED THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOXES TO THE SECURITY COMPANY
AS FUNDS, HE REGISTERED IT AS HIS FAMILY TREASURY BILL FOR MANY SECURITY
REASONS. THE SECURITY COMPANY ALWAYS SCAN BOXES OR CONSIGNMENTS TO KNOW THAT
THE CONTENTS IS NOT A DRUGS, AMMUNITIONS OR ANY ILEGAL ITEMS THAT BREAK THE
INTERNATIONAL OR LOCAL LAW BEFORE ACCEPT IT FOR A SAFE-KEEPING.

I CONTACTED THE SECURITY COMPANY FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF THIS BOXES BUT DUE TO
MY UNDERAGE {28 YEARS OLD}, NOW THEY ASKED ME TO PROVIDE A GUARANTOR THAT
THE BOXES WILL BE RELEASED FOR. THE TRANSACTION IS 100% SAFE AND RISKFREE,
IT COST YOU NOTHING TO BE LOOSE.
SEND ME YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS, PERSONAL TELEPHONE NUMBER SO THAT I CAN
PUT IN AN APPLICATION LETTER WITH THIS INFORMATION AND FORWARD IT TO THE
SECURITY COMPANY.
I AM READY TO SEND YOU A CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT FOR YOUR VERIFICATIONS. I
WILL TELL YOU HOW ARE WE GOING TO TRANSFER THE BOXES TO YOUR DOOR STEPS OR
WIRE THE FUNDS TO YOUR DESIGNATED ACCOUNT. I AM READY TO OFFER YOU 20% FOR
YOUR ASSISTANCE. REPLY ME THROUGH THIS MY PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS
philmeh2005@walla.com IF YOU ARE INTERESTED SO THAT I CAN TELL YOU WHAT NEXT
TO DO.
BEST REGARDS,

PHILLIP NELSON


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