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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: mark appiah <ma1appiah@msn.com>
Reply-To: <markbappiah@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:47:24 +0000
Subject: GOOD DAY



Hello, I am Mr. Mark Appiah, an accountant with International Commercial Bank here in Ghana West Africa. I was privileged to use my position to over invoice a contract by excess of ($62.000.000.00) which I have insured and secured in the banks escrow account here in our branch and what I need now is a trust worthy Foreigner whom will stand as the original depositor of this fund so that the fund will be tranferred to his company or private account immediately. I will use my position to influence this project in other to expedite the transfer by our bank head office.I intend to part with 50-50. This transaction is purely legal and practically no risk involve, It will be a bank-to-bank transfer. I await your positive reply for more details and the next step to follow.Best regards, Mr.Mark Appiah


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