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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: Dru Symmonds <drusymmonds@gmail.com>
Reply-To: drusynmonds@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 08:47:12 -0700
Subject: Urgent help

Hi, I am in Cotonou, Republic of Benin for a business conference at
the moment, I just had my bag containing all my belongings, cash, cell
phone, credit cards and passport stolen. I have been trying to sort
things out with the necessary authorities, I need your financial
assistance from you and I was told western union transfer is fastest
option to wire funds to me, i will pay back once am home. Let me know
if you can be of any help.

Thanks,

Dru

Anti-fraud resources: