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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "janeibeson1@cantv.net" <janeibeson1@cantv.net>
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:27:19 -0430
Subject: PLEASE GET BACK TO ME


Dearest,
 
My name is Mrs. charity poko, widow to late Mr. Jerry  poko, former owner of Jerry Oil company Ghana L.T.D. I am 49 years old,suffering from cancer of the breast.
 
From all indications my condition is deteriorating and it's obvious that I won't live more than 3 months according to my doctors. The tumors has deteriorated into the critical stage.
I don't want you to pity me, but I need your trust.
 
My late husband died in December 2003 in a  car accident. During the period of our marriage we couldn't produce any child. My late husband was wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth.
 
The doctor has advised me that I will not live long, so I have now made up my mind to spread my wealth to charity & mercy works in Africa,Asia, America and Europe.
 
I am sorry if you are embarrassed by my mail. I found your e-mail address on line by chance over a month ago.I prayed & prayed for God to reveal to me if you'll could be relied upon to see to & administer to my last will.The signs  experienced convinced me, and I have decided to contact you. But if for any reason you find this mail offensive, you can ignore it and please accept my apology.
 
My late husband was an business tycoon.He has mineral rights all over Africa.He left the sum of (5.5 Million Dollars only) which he packaged in a mental box with one security company in Ghana.
 
I need your help to take, & distribute this funds to charity works & needy homes as I stated above so that when I die my soul will rest in peace knowing the money served a purpose rather than being expropriated by the government(corrupt politicians) at my death because i don't have children that will inherit, & positively utilize money instead.
 
The funds & distribution will be entirely at your discretion and control.
I hope God will give you the wisdom to touch very many lives with my generosity (this is my main concern)
 
Please 30% of this fund will be for your time and effort, while 70% goes EXCLUSIVELY to charity.
 
 
Thanks & God bless you.
 
Mrs.charity poko
 

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