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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: "O.L" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 17:38:34 -0000
Subject: (13) - Re: Hello, Good Morning

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a Serbian woman and I am located in Europe . I have a business proposition for you which involve $15,000,000 US Dollars. I need your assistance with Banking and Investment of the said funds and I will be willing to offer you 20% of the $15,000,000 US Dollars.

I will understand how you are going to be feeling over my business proposition, I also find it very difficult to trust people but I have to use this means to contact you for security reason which I will disclose in due course of this transaction and you will know me more.

The funds are legally mine and this business is not illegal. Can I trust you to help me handle these funds?. I have an interest to invest in your country in any profitable business you may deem okay with these funds.

If you are interested, please send me an email to:

When I hear from you, I will give you my full name and details and also give you more information about this transaction. Please have in mind that this is a legitimate transaction.

O.L

Anti-fraud resources: