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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: John King <john.king30@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: john.king10@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:08:49 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Transfer Of Fund............


Hello,

This proposal might come to you as a surprise but
believe me that it is transparent business.

My name is Mr John King, and I work in the delievery
department in a security company here in London. I
feel quite safe dealing with you in this important
Business.I was on a routine inspection when I
dscovered a deposit account with a BAL. Of (THIRTY SIX
MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY NINE THOUSAND POUNDS
STERLINGS).I later learnt on further discreet
investigation that the depositor of the funds has
passed away (dead) leaving no beneficiary to the
deposit.

The company will delieve this money to anyone with
legal claims because the former depositor is a
foreigner. I am certainly sure that nobody will come
again for the claim of this money.We claim this money
with legal claims to the deposit Holder, therefore I
need your cooperation in this transaction. I will
provide all necessary information needed in order to
claim this money, Hoping in God that you will never
let me down now and in future.o.k!.Late Rafik Bahaa
Edine Hariri (November 1, 1944 - February 14, 2005),
married to Nazek Audi Hariri, was a Lebanese self-made
billionaire and business tycoon, and was five times
Prime Minister of Lebanon (1992-1998 and 2000-2004)
before his last resignation from office on October 20,
2004. The late Rafik Hariri died on February 14, 2005
when explosives equivalent to around 300 kg of C4 were
detonated as his motorcade drove past the Saint George
Hotel in the Lebanese capital, for more information
please log on to (http://www.hariri.info)

We WANT TO TRANSFER THIS MONEY INTO A SAFE FOREIGN
ACCOUNT ABROAD BUT I DON'T KNOW ANY FOREIGNER WHOM I
CAN TRUST, I KNOW THAT THIS MESSAGE WILL COME TO YOU
AS A SURPRISE AS WE DON'T KNOW OURSELVES BEFORE, BUT
BE SURE THAT IT IS REAL AND A GENUINE BUSINESS.

I CONTACT YOU BELIEVING THAT YOU WILL NOT LET ME DOWN
ONCE THE FUND GOES INTO YOUR ACCUNT.

Let me hear from you Urgntly by email.
Best Regards
Mr. John King.

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