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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.

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

Fraud email example:

From: =?UTF-8?Q?anthonyezigbo5?= <anthonyezigbo5@o2.pl>
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:50:49 +0200
Subject: =?UTF-8?Q?THANK_YOU_FOR_YOUR_GOODNESS_?=


Dear Friend,
 
I have moved those funds out with a new helper,
I appreciate your efforts to help me though we couldn't realize it together,
I kept US$850.000.00usd bank draft for your compensation.
 
Contact my Secretary Mr.Mark Meek on his
email; markmeek79@live.comand provide him your information.
Let me know when you get it for us to share the joy .
I'm busy here for an investment projects,
 
I had forwarded instruction to him concerning your bank draft,
So he will send it to you.
 
Regards,
Dr. Anthony Ezigbo

Anti-fraud resources: