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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: "Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrssafiafarkashgaddafi@qi88.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2013 05:56:46 +0530
Subject: PLEASE REPLY IMMEDIATELY

Dear ,
 
I am Safia Farkash Gaddafi ,the second wife of the Libyan leader. We came to know each other in 1971 when Gaddafi was admitted to a hospital where I worked as a nurse. We got married the same year and have six sons and one daughter. I got your address from my husband's email booklet and so i decided to contact you on this vital issue.
My husband was killed by the rebels after facing difficulties in Libya but we were secretly relocated to South Africa from there now to the United Kingdom to seek asylum.
 
 
Presently I and my entire family have what I will call MY FAMILY LAST RESORT to the tune of U$ Twenty million United States Dollars) and ready to be transferred to you with the hope that you will invest the funds in to any good business in your country, pending when our political turmoil is over. Please if you are interested in helping me to receive this money that is presently in a  Bank .
After a successful process by helping us to claim this money, 30% of the total funds will go to you and my son Alaa will come to your country immediately to start up a business with your assistance so we will be able to start a new life in your country. You can found out some of the story on this web bellow:
 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/oct/20/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/144251/libyas-first-lady-owns-airline.html
 
I shall give you the contact information of the bank as soon as you indicate your interest and we shall get the service of a lawyer who will assist you on any legal issues to change the necessary Documents and  Power of Attorney to secure this fund. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law as it is a 100% risk free venture.
 
Kindly indicate your interest in assisting my family by providing the basic Information such as Full name, Address, Age, occupation and cell number.
 
You can contact me using the following email: mrssafiafarkashgaddafi@qi88.com
 
Thanks for your cooperation in advance.
 
Sincerely yours
Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi

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