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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: ATM PAYMENT CENTER <paycenter40@live.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:54:29 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Attn: Beneficiary


FROM THE DESK OF:
DR.JOHN EGO
ATM PAYMENT CENTER


Attn: Beneficiary

I am writing to inform you that you are one of the beneficiaries in the ongoing Compensation, from the federal government of Nigeria, in conjunction with UN, and WORLD BANK, based on the fact that EU and AMERICAN government, requested that person like you who have not received their long awaited fund should be compensated this is why I was instructed to pay you the sum of $2 Million Dollars.

Upon your response to this email, we shall give you further details on how and
When your fund will be delivered to you.

Again, do reconfirm your house or office address where you want this fund to be delivered to, and please do make sure you are sending your correct information and your telephone number, to avoid going into wrong hands.

Looking forward hear from you.

Best Regards
Dr.John Ego.
ATM Payment Director

Anti-fraud resources: