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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: "Mr. James Marshall." <james_marshall10@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: james.marshall11@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2007 23:46:41 +0100
Subject: Urgent Assistance.

From. Mr. James Marshall.
Dakar-Senegal, West Africa.
I wish to request for your assistance in a financial transaction.I got your contact from the Dakar chamber of commerce and industry. I wish to invest in a manufacturing and real estate management industry in your country. I have ($6.500,000) to invest in the industry and I will require your assistance in receiving the funds into your bank account in your country. I will gladly give you 10% of the total sum for your assistance. Please it is important that you reply as soon as posible with your private phone and fax number for our verbalcommunication.
Waiting for your prompt response.
Thanks.
Mr. James Marshall.


Anti-fraud resources: