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.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Service Verifie Par Visa" (may be fake) Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 05:07:11 -0000 Subject: Nous avons rcemment dtermin que diffrents ordinateurs connects votre compte??
Chre client de Visa Carte
Nous avons
recemment determine que
differents ordinateurs
connectes à votre compte
Verified by visa, Mot de
passe et les echecs
multiples taient presents
avant la connexion.
Nous avons maintenant besoin
de vous pour confirmer les
informations de votre compte
Verified by visa. Si ce n'est pas
termine dans les 48 heures,
nous serons contraints de
suspendre votre compte
indefiniment, car il peut
être utilise à des fins
frauduleuses. Nous vous
remercions de votre
comprehension de cette
manière. Pour confirmer
votre compte en ligne:
