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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: "CHRIS LEMO" <chrislawye@msn.com>
Reply-To: chrislawy@myway.com
Date: Tue, 06 Dec 2005 14:44:09 +0000
Subject: PAYMENT INVESTIGATING UNIT.

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE LAGOS
>From the Desk Of:
PROFESSOR CHRIS LEMO.
LEGAL ADVISER (CBN)
Tele no#+234-805-324-6387.

ATTENTION OF:


PAYMENT INVESTIGATING UNIT.

>From the records of outstanding payment with the Federal Government of
Nigeria, your name was discovered as next on the list of The outstanding
beneficiaries who have not received their payments.
I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be
released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from
my record in my file your outstanding payment is US$30.5, (Thirty Million
Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only) Please re-confirm to me if
this is Online with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me
the followings.
(1) Your full name.
(2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) company's name,position and address.
4) profession, age and marital status.
5) Copy of int'l passport or any scanned identity to prove yourself.
As soon as this informations are received, your payment will be made to you
in a certified bank draft from central bank of Nigeria and a copy will be
given to you for you to take to your bank and confirm it,And get back to me
on this mail: chrislawy@myway.com
TEL; 234-805-324-6387.
YOURS SINCERELY,
BARRISTER Chris Lemo.
Legal advicer to the,
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN).


Anti-fraud resources: