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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: "Emma Chikwe" <emmachikwe@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 09:48:48 +0000
Subject: PLEASE REPLY URGENTLY.


Attn: Kolton Ebermann.

Please do not be decieved by anyone telling you that such business is not
real. I am too matured to involve myself into a transaction that is not
real. Find attached the certificate of deposit of the funds and the death
certificate of the deceased who deposited it.

For us to proceed with the transaction, I would like you to furnish me with
the following information:
1. Your full names and address as they should appear in all documents.
2. Your direct phone and fax numbers for easy communication.
3. Your receiving bank details where we will transfer the funds into.
4. Either your international passport or drivers licence for identification.

Waiting for your urgent response.

Regards,
Emma Chikwe.

Anti-fraud resources: