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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: Johnson Andrew <christopherlamba807@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:16:56 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: BENEFICIARY PUBLICITY SECRETARY.T ATTN :


ATTN:
I understand you don’t have the $5,000.00/Fees to send to our payment
center, it is my duty and responsibility as your account manager to
make sure your transaction is successfully completed. If you need my
assistance, then I will be more than happy to help you pay the
$5,000.00 Charges, you don’t have to pay the $5,000.00 charges/Fees
from your pocket only if you accept to compensate me with $200,000.00
after your $5Million winning has been successfully transfered to your
account. If you accept my terms; Fill your details below so my client
can over-night you a check of $5,450.00 for you to cash at your
financial institution and send $5,000.00 to our payment office to have
your transaction completed this week.

1, Full Name :
2, Physical Mailing Address:
3, City :
4, State :
5, Zip-Code :
6, Home/Cell # :
7, Bank Name :
When emailing, please use reference number 250-153 for our mutual convenience
Sincerely,
Johnson Andrew
Welfare officer,
World Bank Creditors
+234-01-2169069



Anti-fraud resources: