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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: Mrs Janette Lawrence <lawrejanetemrs18@msn.com>
Reply-To: <janettemiss@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:02:41 +0000
Subject: Regards from Mrs. Janette Lawrence



Hello,I am Mrs. Janette Lawrence, Credit Accounting officer of Lloyds TSB Bank.I am contacting you for a possible business transfer worth (USD$100.5Million)It will be in my interest to finish this transaction with You hoping that you will not cheat or blackmail me at the conclusion of This goal because I have planned it for long. If you can be a collaborator to this transaction, please indicate your Positive interest immediately for us to proceed. Remember this is Absolutely confidential because my Bank does not know about it. Your Contact phone numbers and name will be necessary for this effect. Thank you for your time and attention.Warmest regards,Mrs., Janette LawrenceCredit Accounting Officer,Lloyds TSB Bank

Anti-fraud resources: