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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.George Williams" <ggwiams@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2005 13:35:34 +0000
Subject: INVITATION FOR BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

Dear Friend.

My name is Mr.George Williams.I am the Eastern region branch
manager of the Internation Commercial Bank of Ghana ltd, in West
Africa.I am a Christian. I do not want problems but I just hope you
can assist me. I write you this letter in good faith.

I am in control of the sum of three million, eight hundred and fifty
thousand US dollars ($3,850,000.00) which was an excess of profit
made by our Eastern region branch office in the last quarter of the
year 2003, which I have carefully placed in an Escrow Call Deposit
Account and did not declare this to my head office, Can I really trust
you to hold this money for me until I arrive your country and pick it
up myself and I am prepared to offer you a negotiable commission
for your assistance. Although,you can name your price if you want
as i do not have any problem about that,all I request is your
trustworthiness and sincerity in our dealing.

All I need is for you to get me a good current account in your bank
where I can move this money I will discreetly give you all the
information concerning the account and the deposit so that you can
apply to the bank for the release of the money. There is practically
no risk involved; it will be simple bank-to-bank transfer. I hope you
understand my situation.

Thank you and God bless.

Yours truly,
George Williams.




Anti-fraud resources: