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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Magret Williams" <magretwilliams001@msn.com>
Reply-To: m_williams48@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 02 Nov 2005 21:48:29 +0000
Subject: Hello.

Good day,

I need your services in a confidential matter regarding money out of a
family beneficiary deposit. This requires a private arrangement. You
will receive these funds under legal claims, all legal documents will be
carefully worked out to ensure a risky free transfer. I am willing to
pay a generous management fee as well as appreciation for fewer
questions asked. I have all the details. All correspondences will be via
email,
for now. The funds in question is quite large. I will expect a straight
answer from you. Yes or no. If yes, then lets work out the modalities.

Thanks,
Mrs. Magret Williams.


Anti-fraud resources: