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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: "prof john smith" <profjsmith@gentedelrojo.com>
Reply-To: prof_jsmith@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 10:36:34 -0300
Subject: PLEASE REPLY

From:Professor John Smith Chambers
Manchester M27 5FX,
United Kingdom.
Fax:44 870 130 6123

This is to inform you that your funds of US$15 Million has been
approved for immediate delivery to you.

For the purpose of clarification,you are advised to reconfirm your Full
Names,Direct Telephone Numbers,Physical Address with Zip Code so that
there will be no error during the delivery of the funds to you in your
country of residence.

Your quick response will be highly appreciated.
Professor John Smith Chambers.


Anti-fraud resources: