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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: sgtshawn Irvin <sgt_shawnirvin@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 09:54:39 -0800 (PST)
Subject: RESPOND NOW


DEAR SIR
HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS, I RECEIVED YOUR MAIL.THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. LISTEN MY BROTHER THIS TRANSANCTION IS 100% FREE, THE ONLY THING I NEED FROM YOU IS HONEST,IF YOU FOLLOWE MY INSTRUCTION THIS TRANSACTION WERE TAKE US 4 WORKING DAYS.PLEASE I NEED YOUR FULL NAME AND YOUR PHONE NOMBER FOR MORE DISCUSION.AM WAITING FOR YOUR RESPOND
THANKS
SGT SHAWN IRVIN
__________________________________________________
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