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

Fraud email example:

From: "frank zuma" <frankzuma_inc@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 05 May 2006 12:12:54 +0200
Subject: Re: Call you later

Attn: Carlotta,

I tried to call you yesterday after sending mail to you but your phone was off and I dropped message for you.

You did not mention anything in regard to the procedures for the transfer. I will like to know if you are going to come to South Africa or for me to engage the service of a lawyer to represent you. My banker friend said that I should ask of when you will be ready to open the account so that he can assist us by providing the Bank Form that you will complete and send back to us for the account.

I will call you tomorrow and I hope you will leave your phone on. It is very important that we speak.

Regards,

Mr Frank Zuma


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Anti-fraud resources: