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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: "Mrs.Paulina George" <paulina_george402@yahoo.ca> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 10:47:26 +0000
Subject: MY GREETINGS TO YOU

My Dear Friend,
Compliments of the season.I did like to send to you the best wishes of good health and success in your pursuits particularly through my proposal as contained in this letter. I decided to forward to you this business proposal, we want you to assist us .I will give you more information. As to this regard as soon as you reply.
I am Mrs.Paulina George.I am contacting you with the hope that you will be of great assistance to me,
Your URGENT response is needed.
Regards and God Bless you.
Mrs.Paulina George


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