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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: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: engrdavidwest@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:50:37 +0000
Subject: PRIVATE LETTER


From:Tam David West

I am a member of the contract award committee, Federal Ministry of Petroleum
Resources, I am in search of a reliable partner to assist us in the transfer
of (USD30m) and subsequent investment in properties in your country.

You will be required to

(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.

I will give you more details when i hear from you. already we have decided
to offer you 15% of the total sum of USD30m for your assistance , also send
to me your private telephone/fax numbers, including your full names and
address .

Yours faithfully,
Tam David West

Anti-fraud resources: