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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.Mary Karen Smith <mothermarysmith@gmail.com>
Date: 20 Dec 2008 13:28:15 -0500
Subject: RESPONSE NEEDED

Content-Type: text/plain

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit




Beloved ,



I am Mrs.Mary Karen Smith. I am married to Dr. Steven .C. Smith from Kenya who worked with a construction company in Asia for twenty Years before he died in a mysterious disasters, we were married but without Any children, Since his death I decided not to remarry and presently I am 70 Years old.



I have intention of helping the helpless by establishing a charity home any where in the world, but i am not healthy now,And can not handle it Due to my health condition.



Note that no charges will be required from you in any case what so ever before the

release of the fund.



God bless

Mother Mary Smith





Anti-fraud resources: