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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: "John Atete" <johnatete@aol.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 4 Feb 2007 23:25:42 +0800
Subject: Business Proposal!!

Dear Sir,
My name's are, John Etete, i work in one of the biggest financial institute in Ghana, west Africa.
i have the opportunity to lay my hands on a lot of documents in my place of work,
including cash and other related instruments.
i am ready to do business with anybody that is honesty,and can be trusted with money.
there is going to be a handsome reward if you understand my message.

if intrested, please contact me through this medium..
Thanks
J.Etete


Anti-fraud resources: