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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: "John Miles"<info@infonegocio.com>
Reply-To: <j2miles@globo.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 14:41:10 +0100
Subject: MESSAGE FOR YOU.

Hello Friend,

We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of (Twelve Million British Pounds) in the codicil and last testament of the deceased, Name now withheld since this is our second letter to you.

All the legal papers will be processed in your name. On your acceptance of this deal, we request that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance; your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file necessary documents at the probate registry for the claim.

Please indicate your interest immediately via email for us to proceed. I shall feed you with full details on the procedure upon receipt of your reply towards this notice.

Wishing you a happy New Year

Yours faithfully,
Mr. John Miles

Anti-fraud resources: