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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: "Barry Allan Crawford" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ballan773@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 19:58:54 -0000
Subject: INFORMATION

Kindly contact me ballan773@gmail.com


10th June 2012

Hello Friend

I regret this informal way of contacting you which I believe would be most effective with regards to the Message I intend to bring to your notice. It is imperative that I adopt this means of communication to safeguard my Interest and guarantee that secrecy is not compromised.

Actually I got your contact from E-commerce and Industry, during my discrete online search through a web based directory while searching for a foreign partner to execute this project together. This is where all individual and business contact is kept. Please do not be offended with the manner I have contacted you. It was necessitated by the urgency and nature of this transaction.

My name is Mr. Barry Allan Crawford I work with the HSBC Bank. Although you might be apprehensive about my email as we have not met before, There is the sum of USD12, 200,000.00 in my HSBC Bank", UK. There were no beneficiaries stated concerning these funds which mean no one would ever come forward to claim it. That is why I ask that we work together so as to have the sum transferred out of my bank to you. Should you be interested please send me your:-

1. Full names,
2. private phone number,
3. Current residential address
4. Occupation

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Best Regards,
Barry Allan Crawford
International Transfer Department
HSBC-Personal private banking.


Kindly contact me ballan773@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: