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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: SAMSON ATETE <atetessamson@aim.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2006 16:10:30 +0200
Subject: INVESTMENT OF $15.U.S.DOLLARS OVER INVOICE


My name is SAMSON ATETE, a member of the contract award committee, Ecowas
peace keeping force,regional office in Accra Ghana. I am in search of an
agent to assist us in the transfer of ($15MILLION U.S DOLLARS) which is an
over invoice amount being held by Ecowas peace keeping force international
payment agency in Germany.
You will be required to:
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment.
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.
If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 25% of the total
sum of $15million U.S Dollars, will be for you.please indicate your
interest by sending your reply including phone and fax number with your
identity card, to enable me give you more details.
Yours faithfully,
Mr Samson Atete
Board Secretary

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