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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: "Prime Micro Finace" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <primfinservics@rediffmail.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2013 03.19.05 +0100
Subject: Your important Message to read

 
 
    Foreign Operations Dept,
    Prime Micro Finance Plc.
    London,
    United Kingdom.
 
    Dear Honorable Beneficiary,
 
 
    This facsimile is intended for the named recipient only, and may contain privileged and confidential information. If you     have reaceived this in error, please notify us immediately. and do not disclose the contents to anyone or copy it to     outside parties. Thank you.
 
    We wish to inform you that the board of trustees and management of Prime Micro Finance Plc, London UK has being given     Immediate transfer approval order by the UK Ministry of Finance in conjunction with the United Nations to transfer your     overdue payment to you. The approved sum of USD $ 5.700,000,00 ( Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand United States     Dollars).   Be informed that we are prepared to give you the best of services with a guarantee that your Approved Fund     will be wire into your nominated Bank Account within 4 Bank working days, that's as soon as you complete all the     transferring procedures with any option you may prefer to receive your fund below for your own good.
    (1) By Bank to Bank Wire Transfer
    (2) Via Diplomatic delivery.
 
    To enable us proceed with the transfer of your fund, you are advise to fill out the
    details below. We need you:
 
 
    name....................
    Address.................
    Occupation..............
    Phone number............
    Age......and Country....
    Identity................
 
 
    As soon as the above issues are clearly addressed, we will commence the process and secure relevant documentation which will enable us to UNBLOCK the RTA and make transfer to you.
    Thank you for choosing Barclay's bank plc.
 
    Signed,
 
    Yours Faithfully,
    Dr. Elwood More,
    Remittance Director.

Anti-fraud resources: