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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: "CBN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rofficecbn@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:47:27 +0430
Subject: payment update

Attn: The Beneficiary
This is to inform you that your contract/inheritance fund has been approved for immediate transfer to your nominated account. Please, note that this approval is irrevocable because the transfer charge has been paid, all you needed to do is to reconfirm your full name, address, Phone Number and bank account details for the transfer. However, $9.5million only was approved in your favour
Regards
Rev. Dr.Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
The Executive Governor
Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN)

Anti-fraud resources: