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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: James Mike <barristejm@yahoo.in>
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:26:57 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Bart Jorritsma




JAWIELSCHAMBERS & CO.
Solicitors & Advocate
No.294 von volien Zongo,
03 bp, Cotonou,
Republique du Benin+229-99759461

Attn: Bart Jorritsma, I am Barrister James Mike, the attorney at law to Late Michael A.Jorritsma, a national of your country, who used to work as the Director of Produits pétroliers (TOTALBÉNIN) in Benin Republic West Africa Herein after shall be Referred to as myclient. On the 27th of May 2003, my client, His wife and their two Children were involved in a car accident Along Sagbama express-road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved Unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track His last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his Family hence I contacted you.I have contacted you with faith to assist in Repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank here. These huge deposits were lodged particularly,with the “BANQUE ATLANTIQUE BENIN" An affiliate of Commercial Bank of Africa where the Deceased had an account valued at about $5.5 million dollars.
The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated. Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for over six years now I seek your consent To present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have The same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($5.5 million dollars) can be paid to you and then you and me can Share the money.50% to me and 50% to you I will procure all Necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make, all I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this Deal through.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. And the way we are going to achieve this is I will need the following information from you.
Your Full Name and Address,
Your Age, Occupation and Position,
Your Telephone and Mobile for Communication Purpose.
I await your reply ASAP.
Best Regards,
Barr. James Mike 

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