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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: "frank marris" <frankmarrischambers889@msn.com>
Reply-To: frankmarris11@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 12:54:20 +0000
Subject: PLEASE I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE.

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Frank Marris, OF FRANK MARRIS CHAMBERS & CO. This mail is
Written and intended to solicit your assistance to be presented as NEXT OF
KIN to my Late Client who made a fixed Deposit of Funds valued at USD27M
(Twenty Seven Million United States Dollars Only) with a Security Firm In
Holland and unfortunately lost his life aboard Egypt Air Flight 990, Which
crashed in to the Atlantic Ocean on November 2nd, 1999
(News.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm) and left no clear
Beneficiary as Next of Kin except some vital documents related to the
Deposit still with me.

The Governing Body of the BANK has contacted me on this matter and I am yet
To provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to the Fund. Under a clear and
legitimate agreement with you, I shall seek your consent to be presented as
the next of Kin so that my late Clients' Fund will not be confiscated by the
BANK. For the sake of transparency on this matter, you are free to make
Immediate contact with me through my e-mail for further information related
to this matter. Thank you very much for your anticipated acceptance while we
expect your prompt response.Yours faithfully,
Barrister Frank Marris.



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