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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: "COLE"<richardddd@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <richardcole1966@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 23:37:47 +0200
Subject: DELIVERY NOTICE!!

Attention:
 
I am a Diplomat named Richard Cole, mandated to deliver your inheritance to you in your country of residence.
 
The funds total US$7.5 Million and you were made the  beneficiary of these funds by a benefactor whose details
will be revealed to you after handing over the funds to you in accordance with the Agreement I signed with the
benefactor when he enlisted my assistance in delivering the  funds to you.
 
I am presently in United Kingdom and before I can deliver the funds to you, you have to reconfirm the following
information so as to ensure that I am dealing with the right person.
 
1. Full Name
2. Residential Address
3. Age
4. Occupation
5. Direct Telephone Numbers
 
After verification of the information with what I have on file, I shall contact you so that we can make arrangements
on the exact time I will be bringing your package to your residential address. Send the requested information so that we can
proceed.
 
Regards,
 
Richard Cole

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