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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: "UNITED NATION" <un_zenith20@mobimail.mn>
Reply-To: drjim.ovia3@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:08:13 +0800
Subject: SCAMMED VICTIM/ US$ 500,000.00 BENEFICIARY.REF/PAYMENTS CODE:06654) .


SCAMMED VICTIM/ US$ 500,000.00 BENEFICIARY.REF/PAYMENTS CODE:06654) .

ZENITH BANK COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED NATION. SEND A
COPY OF YOUR RESPONCE TO OFFICIAL
EMAIL:drjim.ovia3@gmail.com<EMAIL%3Adrjim.ovia3@gmail.com>

ATTN:Sir/Madam,

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family?,You may not
understand why this mail came to you.

We have been having a meeting for the passed 7 months which ended 2 days ago
with the former secretary to the UNITED NATIONS.

This email is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the
world, the UNITED NATIONS have agreed to compensate them with the sum of US$
500,000.00 This includes every foriegn contractors that may have not
received their contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished
transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government
problems etc.

We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you, this
have been agreed upon and have been signed.

You are advised to contact Mr. Jim Ovia of ZENITH BANK NIGERIA PLC, as he is
our representative in Nigeria, contact him immediately for your Cheque/
International Bank Draft of USD$ 500,000.00 This funds are in a Bank Draft
for security purpose ok? so he will send it to you and you can clear it in
any bank of your choice.

Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your
correct mailing address where you want him to send the Draft to you.

Conatct Mr. Jim Ovia immediately for your Cheque:

Person to Contact Mr. Jim Ovia
Email:drjim.ovia3@gmail.com <Email%3Adrjim.ovia3@gmail.com>

Adhere strictly to the above instruction with immediate effect; this is for
your best interest.

Note: We mount network on air so we are monitoring every in coming calls, if
we found out that you are communicating with all those fraudsters that is
frustrating the good citizens we have to council your payment.

Thanks and God bless you and your family.Hoping to hear from you as soon as
you cash your cheque.

Making the world a better place


Regards,
Secretary-General Banki-moon.
http://www.un.org/sg/

Anti-fraud resources: