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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: "CATHARINE J. BAUDER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lbdept@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:05:32 +0100
Subject: Congratulations Internet User !!

On behalf of MICROSOFT Internet User Promo Lottery, we wish to notify you that your e-mail has won you a prize on our 2011 charity bonanza held in
London.
Your security files No: KIA/724357/CP.
To claim your Price, Contact payment officer with the below information:

Dr.Kobani Philips,
Payment Bureau Officer
Tel: +44-703-1885-635.
E-mail: lbdept@hotmail.com

Please include the following information such as your Name, Valid Address, Age, Next of Kin, Telephone Number, occupation and Nationality.
Regards,
Customer Service center.
CATHARINE J. BAUDER


Anti-fraud resources: