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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: "Douglas J. Flint" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <douglas.j.flint@mail.mn>
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:43:28 -0700
Subject: PLEASE CONFIRM THE TRANSFER OF YOUR FUND!!!

From The Desk of Douglas J. Flint
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Director Risk and Regulation
HSBC Holdings plc
 
 
 
Dear Sir,
 
 
During our routine check yesterday, we discovered the transfer of US$10.5M on your name and particulars as the true beneficiary, but the fund transfer destination was scheduled to a bank of American account with the name of James Watson as your representative bank account owner, due to this surprising discovery, I decided to suspend the fund transfer until I hear from you and get your consent to release the US$10.5M fund transfer to Mr. James Watsons bank account.
 
But if I did not hear from you within 72 hours with your designated bank account details and a copy of your ID for proper identification, I will have no other option than to release the US$10.5M fund transfer to Mr. James Watsons bank account successfully as scheduled.
 
 
Anticipating your urgent reply.
 
 
Regards
Douglas J. Flint
Group Finance Director
Surveillance Control Unit
HSBC Holdings plc
E-mail: douglas.j.flint@mail.mn

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