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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: "ken kotangora" <ken_kotangora020@superposta.com>
Reply-To: kotangorak@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:10:54 +0200
Subject: MY FRIEND YOUR UNDERSTANDING IS HIGHLY NEEDED.


*Good Day My good friend,
Let me start by introducing myself, I am Mr Ken Kotangora,
an ACCOUNTS OFFICER with an African Development bank in Burkina-Faso of
West
Africa. *

*
I am writing you this letter based on the latest development at my bank
which I will like to bring to your personal identification.($15million
transfer
claims ). *
*


This is a legitimate transaction and you will be paid 40% for
your "Assistance".If you are interested, please write back for more
explanation.
*

*Kind Regards
KEN KOTANGORA. *

Anti-fraud resources: