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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: "consolidated message" <consolidated_9@msn.com>
Reply-To: consolidatedmassage@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 15:49:13 +0000
Subject: INVESTMENT

Good day .

This mail is strictly confidential and is for your attention only.

I am currently in West Africa. And want to share this alone with you. I have
large sum of Money for INVESTMENT. And looking for a reliable person of
trusts whom to share the same opinion with, to receive this fund for
investment.

All other information relating to the presence of the funds will be
revealed to you as we progress.
I will expect a straight answer from you, yes or no. if yes lets work out
the modalities.

Thanks for your Understanding.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Magret Williams


Anti-fraud resources: