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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: "Mr Leo Pius" <mrleopius1@latinmail.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:05:18 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: HELLO


Good Day

I am Mr Leo Pius personal Assistant to the Branch Manager of Bank Of Af=
rica BOA COTONOU-BENIN REPUBLIC.=20

I want to inquire from you if you can handle a transaction of mutual be=
nefits for both of us.The transaction is about seeking your consent to =
present you as the next of kin/ beneficiary of 7.5Million dollars belon=
ging to a deceased customer of the Bank where i work.

I will give you more details about the transaction when I receive your =
response or your call.

Thanks=20

Mr Leo Pius=20

Tel 2297139600

=A1Vuelve Man=E1! Todos los detalles de su nuevo disco http://mx.starme=
dia.com/entretenimiento/especiales/mana.html

Anti-fraud resources: