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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: "Francis Apa" <francisapa_75@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: francisapa_75@rixmail.se
Date: Tue, 06 Dec 2005 19:20:44 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend,

Dear Friend,


My name is Francis Apa one of the special assistant to former president of
Liberia Charles Taylor. Before now I was a member of the cabinet in previous
years before he resigned by the intervention of united nation for peace and
stability in the country of Liberia. We are presently now in the west coast
of Africa were the Government has graciously offered us political asylum but
our movements is completely restricted because my boss Mr. Charles Taylor
will face trial in the world court for atrocity he committed while he was in
power in Liberia.


However in the previous years I was in service in his government I made
secret deposits of valuable cash worth $285M and other jewelries into the
vaults of a classified security vault company known s Diplomatic Courier
Finance Limited on behalf of President Taylor with specific instructions. I
am sorry to say this now because the law of comma has hooked with my boss as
United Nation and the American Government has freeze all his assets world
wild with the exception of the $285M because I deposited the money on my
name and not on my boss name.


My intention now is to freight this money and other valuables out of Liberia
anonymously to a trusted foreigner who can receive the consignment on my
behalf; I assure you that there is absolutely no risk to you because nobody
knows of the existence of these funds.


If this offer is acceptable to you please contact me immediately also on
this email address: {francisapa_75@rixmail.se } For more information you can
take look at the web site below.


Regards,

Mr. Francis Apa


<http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-06-21-voa55.cfm>
<http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/rr/blrr_rob_taylor.htm>
<http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/west_africa/0,2172,106513,00.html>
<http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-05-25-voa2.cfm>
<http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-05-03-voa75.cfm>
<http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/07/0725_030725_liberiataylor.html>


Anti-fraud resources: