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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: "Mrs. Margaret Robinson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <award_payment_office@lifegate.it>
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:07:43 +0200
Subject: RE: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI.WASHINGTON DC.
WASHINGTON D.C ROOM, 7367,
J. EDGAR HOOVER FBI BUILDING,
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE,



Good day, be well informed that your Payment file valued at US$2.5Million has
been approved by EFCC, kindly contact Dr. Thomas Jegal for immediate release
of your funds.


Contact person: Dr. Thomas Jegal
Email: thomas.jegal@efcc-ng.com / inquiry@efcc-ng.com



Regards,
Mrs. Margaret Robinson
Head of International Monitoring Unit
inquiry@fbi-online-office.com

Anti-fraud resources: