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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: "George Williams" <gw8479@gala.net>
Reply-To: misssk43@cantv.net
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 21:08:39 +0000
Subject: Hello


Hello


I am George Williams from seirra leone in Africa. It is my desire to contact
you on honesty and sincerity to assist me in transferring the sum of
$7,350,000 inherited from my father late Mr. K. Williams. I am motivated in
contacting you and hope to gradually build trust, relationship and
confidence in you as i get to know you better.


So please i want to know if you will be of assistance but first i want to
get to know you better. I am willing to offer you $350,000 usd for your
effort input after the successful transfer of this money and investment.
Indicate your interest towards assisting me by sending your phone # and
address so that i can communicate with you at any time.

I will be waiting for your response
Thanks and remain blessed.
George Williams

Anti-fraud resources: