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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: "WILLIAM J BURNS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <h.qq533@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:15:58 -0000
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION ALERT 533

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Department of Finance and Administration
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520
CONTRACT/INHERITANCE FUND CREDIT FROM FEDERAL RESERVE BANK BOARD
Attn: Valued Fund Beneficiary,
This email is in regards to a transfer of funds from the Federal Government of Nigeria to a financial banking account of your choice with your full inheritance fund to the tune of US$10.5million.
However, we want you to send to us the  documents listed below:
A) IRREVOCABLE PRESIDENTIAL RELEASE ORDER CERTIFICATE
B) CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP
Be informed that as soon as we receive the above documents from you, the transfer will commence immediately through our paying bank.
Your immediate response is highly needed to enable us commence  the transfer.
You are to forward the documents to us immediately if you have them in your possession, however if you do not have them, let us know immediately so that we can direct you where to obtain the documents immediately, For your information, to acquire the documents will not cost you much money.
Therefore, you are advice to reconfirm your particulars such as:
Your full name
Your country
Mobile Phone #
Company's name, position and address
Profession, age and marital status
Copy of int'l passport or any of your scanned identity.
We are looking forward to serve you better.
William J. Burns
Deputy Secretary of State

Anti-fraud resources: