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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: Sean Thompson <info_seanthompson5@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 26 May 2007 19:09:00 +0100 (BST)
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED


ATTENTION: Mr Hubert Schaefmacher,

I am in receipt of your mail, and you must note that the only way we can help you now is for you to contact the courier company and let then know you want to come and collect your winnings in cash so we can arrange for it before your arrival to the Netherlands. The Netherland is not too far from Germany and you can come over to the courier company office and your winnings will be handed over to you in cash.

Regards,
SeanThompson,
(Information Officer).


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