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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.Michael DavidEsq." <m.davidesq@yahoo.co.nz>
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:18:19 -1200
Subject: Attn;Beneficiary

Attn;Beneficiary

I am sorry for intruding into your privacy. My name is Mr
Michael DavidEsq,the legal adviser to Mr Brimhall who made a
deposit of $9.522USD in the bank. Mr Brimhall until his
death was a foreign contractor. Three years after the
deposition of the money ,Mr Brimhall died in an air crash in
the company of his entire family members. Consequently, I
decided to contact you so that you will stand as the
beneficiary to claim the sum of Nine million five hundred
twenty two thousand United States Dollars ($9.522 USD)
deposited in bank by my late client. My family had made
every effort since his death to claim the funds but all to
no avail because they request a foreign beneficiary to claim
the money. we are willing to share the money 60%/ 40% with
you. Please reply me back, I shall give you the whole
details.

Do consider this and get back to me.
Thanks for your co-operation.
Mr Michael DavidEsq Esq.

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