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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: Kona A Maya <maya_ba@inbox.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:23:30 +0000
Subject: WRITE BACK.




Dear Friend,

Greeting to you and your family, I am Mr Kona A Maya the Auditing and Accounting manager in AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (A.D.B) Ouagadougou Burkina faso.I will like you to stand as the next of kin to our late descease customer whose account is presently dormant, for claim I hoped that you will not betray the trust, and it will benefit both families. I need your urgent assistance to transfer the sum of ($19.2)million to your account within 14 banking days.Upon the receipt of your reply, i will give you full details about this business.

Thanks
Kona A. Maya,

Anti-fraud resources: