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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: "Dr.Tony Moore" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:43:01 -0700
Subject: RE: PAYMENT ON ACCRUED INTEREST OF US$3.1M

Zenith Bank Plc Big, Strong, RELIABLE
 
36 BROAD STREET, MARINA LAGOS, NIGERIA
 
TELEGRAM: ZENITH BROAD BRANCH BIG, STRONG, RELIABLE
 
TEL: 234-70-372-53-800
 
TEL. 234-70-911-25-943
OUR REF: ZENINTH/435/xo/2011
 
RE: PAYMENT ON ACCRUED INTEREST OF US$3.1M
 
I am the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR and Head of Swift Transfer Unit of Zenith Bank Plc., Lagos-Nigeria
Dear Sir,Ma.
This is to acknowledeged the receipt of your mail, the contents are well noted, But I will like you to know that it will not cost you any money so I will advice you to furnish us with the details below.
Your Private Phone Number
Contact Address:
Occupation and Age.
Driving licence
We are looking forward to recieve the details soonest.
 
Contact me if there is any question on TEL: +234-70-37-253-800 expecting your immediate response.
 
Congratulation once again.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Dr.Tony Moore
 
FROM ZENITH BANK NIGERIA PLC.

Anti-fraud resources: