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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: "GARY HOPKINS." <COLINSHOPS@YAHOO.CO.UK> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2007 04:49:10 +0800
Subject: URGENT PLS.

Gooday,
Please do not be offended for receiving this email from me Mr.
Gary Hopkins. I am the Chief secretary to the commissioner of works
here in London, England. I have US $27Million in a safe custody in
abroad for investment and I secured this fund through the advantage of
my position in the government. I am looking for a foreign partner who
will be sincere with me as my partner, industrious in working with me
and also capable in assisting me invest this fund into lucrative
business ventures with little or no risk involved in his/her country or
else where and still make good returns from the business in near
future.
This Investment project has to be done in a confidential
manner to avoid jeopardizing my job, although I will be going on my
retirement by first part of next year to join you on the project and I
need this investment project to commence as soon as possible for the
betterment of my retirement future. If you are interested in assisting
me as my partner on this project, get back to me as soon as possible
to enable me give you more details.
Thank you.
Mr.collin Hopkins


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