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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: "Mr. Wang Xuemin" <mr.wang_xuemin@boc.hk>
Reply-To: mrwang_@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:24:55 +0800
Subject: GOOD DAY!!!



Dear Friend, I bring you greetings. I am Mr. Wang xuemin, I work with
BANK OF CHINA, HONG KONG. I have a Business Proposal of $17.3M for you
to handle with me from my bank.I need you to assist me in executing
this Business Project from Hong Kong to your country. I need to know
if you will be able to handle this with me before I explain to you in
details. Should you be interested please send me the required
information below; (1). Full Names 2).Current Residential Address 3).
private phone number, I will want you to reach me on my private e-mail
: (mr.wang_xuemin@hotmail.com). Finally after that I shall provide
you with more information. Regards, Mr. Wang xuemin

Anti-fraud resources: