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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: "Helen Desmond" <helen_de@gtbgroup.com.ng>
Reply-To: <garyth9379@live.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:03:26 -0600
Subject: Please Respond


THE BENEFICIARY.
FRAUD VICTIMS/$890,000.00 BENEFICIARIES.
OUR REF: 10667FV
YOUR REF: 06654 Attention,

I write to bring to your notice as a delegate from the Nigerian
Government Reimbursement Committee under the strict supervision
of the United Nations to pay 200 Nigerian 419 scam victims the
sum of $890,000.00 USD (Eight Hundred and Ninety Thounsand
Dollars) each. You are
however listed as one of the beneficiaries for these payments.
You are expected to contact Mr. Gary Thompson for your
reimbursement and more details via this email:
garyth9379@live.com

Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Helen Desmond.




Anti-fraud resources: