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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: "MR. ROBERT CHEN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chenmrrobert@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:11:44 +0100
Subject: I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REACH YOU

Good day,

My name is Mr. Robert Chen. I am the credit officer in Hang Seng Bank, Hong Kong that covers the entire Asia region. On routine auditing last month, I discovered an account that has been dormant for the last Eight (8) years. The account belongs to a single holder with monies totaling $19.5M (Nineteen Millions Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars).

This set of facts is my reason for writing and making the following proposal to you. The investor died in 2003 the exact time the account was last operated, I can confirm with certainty that the said investor died inter-state without appointing a next of kin. I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage and working with you can secure the funds in the account for the both of us and can be used for charity purpose, helping the needy instead of allowing it pass through has a bonded fund for the Authorities to share within themselves. This exactly is why I need your participation and co-operation in this matter.

I have seized all relevant documents (legal and banking) that will facilitate my putting you forward as the beneficiary of the funds and ultimately transfer the money to any account nominated by you anywhere in the world. Your share for this will be 40% from the total fund for your co-operation. I shall however leave out the details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate with me. Be assured that I am on top of the situation.

There will be NO risk involved whatsoever if you agree to come on board. This should be kept as utmost confidential between us. I guarantee that the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and me from any breach of law. To affirm your willingness and cooperation to my proposal please contact me through my private email below stating the followings: (1) Full Name: (2) Telephone, Fax and Cell Phone Numbers: (3) Postal Address: (4) Occupation: Age:

Note: You can contact me through my private email (robertchen20@yahoo.com.hk)

Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Mr. Robert Chen.

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