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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: "Office of the Pay Master General" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paulsmithoffice_imf@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2011 12:17:37 +0100
Subject: Attn:Sir/Madam,

Office of the Pay Master General
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Plot 1032 Mohamed Ali Crescent, Maitama.
Abuja, Nigeria.
 
Attn:Sir/Madam,
It was Resolved and Agreed upon that your Inheritance/Contract 14.7M, Funds would be released to you on a special method of payment which tag Name Reads "Certified Bank Cheque".You are Advised to Re-confirm the below information.
1 Your full names
2 Your present contact address.
3 Your telephone & Fax numbers.
4 Your Occupations/age/sex.
5 Your Private Email Address.
6 Next of Kin
Treat this very urgent.
Best Regards,
Dr. Ian Fisk

Anti-fraud resources: