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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. Walter Watson" <walterwatson735@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2012 20:37:08 +0200
Subject: GET BACK TO ME NOW



Good-day to you ,

I am Mr.Walter Watson, I trained and work as an external auditor for the Development Bank of West-Coast (DBWC), working as part of a bigger team that covers the entire west region. I had taken pains to find your contact through a random web search using the deceased surname.On routine audit check last year, I discovered some investment accounts that had been dormant for at least twelve years. All the accounts belong to a single/one account holder summing up to a little above $15.3 Million United States Dollars.

Now banking regulation/legislation in Ghana demand that I do notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory time span of twelve years when dormant accounts of this type are called in by the Ghana Monetary Regulatory bodies.The above set of facts underscores my reason of writing and proposing to you. My investigations of the said account reveals that the investor, had died in 1996-the exact time the account was last operated. I can confirm with certainty that the said investor died intestate and no next -of -kin to his estate has been found or has come forward all these years.

I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage, I working with you can secure the funds in the account for us instead of allowing it pass as unclaimed funds into the coffers of the Government of Ghana. This is especially possible as you bear the same LAST NAME to the said investor.This exactly is why I crave your participation and co-operation. I am seized with all relevant documents (legal and Banking) that will facilitate our putting you forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the funds and ultimately transfer the money to an account to be nominated by you. Of course you shall be handsomely rewarded for your part in this transaction as the people I am working with are prepared to allocate a 40% slice of the total funds for your efforts.

I shall however leave out the final details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate.Be Rest assured that I am on top of the situation all the time and there will be no risk whatsoever if you elect to come on board.I do expect your prompt response.

Thank you,

Truly,
Mr. Walter Watson
walterwatson735@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources: