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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: "chain" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chanprivacy999@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 19:22:49 -0700
Subject: Patrick

Patrick

My name is Patrick Chan I work with the Hang Seng Bank. There is the sum of
$22,500,000.00 in my bank"Hang Seng Bank",Hong kong.

I wish to make a transfer of the $22,500,000.00 .I do solicit for you
assistance in effecting this transaction.I intend to give 30% of the total
funds as compensation for your assistance.

Should you be interested please send me an email on my private email
(chanprivacy999@yahoo.com.hk).

Regards,
Patrick Chan.

Anti-fraud resources: