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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: "Mr.Ronnie Overs" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ronniv1@blumail.org>
Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2011 18:15:25 -0700
Subject: IMMEDIATE PAYMENT

Our Ref: NATWEST-0XX2/482/011
 
 
Attention: Honorable Beneficiary,
 
 
It is my modest obligation to write you this letter in regards to the authorization of your owed payment through our most respected financial institution (NATWEST BANK PLC). I am Mr. Ronnie Overs, The Director, Foreign Operations Department, NatWest Bank Plc, UK . The British Government, in conjunction with the US GOVERNMENT, WORLD BANK, UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION on foreign payment matters, has empowered my bank after much consultation and consideration, to handle all foreign payments and release them to their appropriate beneficiaries with the help of a representative from Federal Reserve Bank of New York .
 
 
As the newly appointed/accredited International Paying Bank, we have been instructed by the World Governing Bodies, together with the Committee on International Debt and the Board of Foreign Winnings, Inheritance and Contract Review Panel, to release your overdue funds with immediate effect; with this exclusive Vide Transaction No.: WHA/EUR/202 and Transfer Allocation No.: NATWEST/X44/701LN/WGB/GB, Password: 339331, Pin Code: 78569, Certificate of Merit No: 104, Release Code No: 0876; Immediate NATWEST Telex Confirmation No: -222568; Secret Code: XXTN014.Having received these vital payment numbers, you are instantly qualified to receive and confirm your payment with the United Nations immediately within the next 48hrs.
 
 
Be informed that we have verified your payment file as directed to us, and your name is next on the list of our outstanding fund beneficiaries to receive their payment as soon as possible. Be advised that because of too many funds beneficiaries due for payment , you are entitled to receive the sum of Five Million Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$5,600,000.00) only, as part payment so as to enable us pay other beneficiaries. To facilitate the process of this transaction, please kindly re-confirm the following information below:
 
 
1) Your full Name and Address:
 
2) Phones, Fax and Mobile No. :
 
3) Profession, Age and Marital Status:
 
4) Copy of any valid form of your Identification:
 
 
Upon our receipt of the above mentioned information, your payment will be processed and released to you without delays. Be also informed that you are required to discontinue further communication with any other person(s) or office so as to avoid distortion of data.
 
 
Yours truly,
 
Mr.Ronnie Overs

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