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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 Koffi Kama" <koffikama@zwallet.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: koffi_kama8@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 15:10:45 +0000
Subject: RE CONSULTANT

Dear Friend,
I am a consultant in CANADA with offices in all major African countries. Right now I have been contacted by the family of a deceased HIGH PROFILE PERSONALITY, which is looking for a dependable firm or individual that can help them to invest a large quantity of solid mineral inherited from their late PERSONALITY.
Endeavour to contact me back so that I can give you more details about the transaction.
I am awaiting for your urgent response.
Yours sincerely.
Mr Kama Koffi
CONSULTANT
KINGS CONSULTING SERVICES


Anti-fraud resources: