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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: faruq <faruqaminu3@zipmail.com.br>
Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 13:08:38 -0300
Subject: Business Proposal

My Friend

My Name is Mr.Faruq Aminu Managing Director Of Barclays Bank Ghana,I have a Business Deal in my branch which will benefits you and me,I am contacting you to assist me receive this money in your account,and you will get 30% of the total funds as your commission,This Fund [USd$2,800,000.00] is the excess profit made by my branch in 2011 and i have also submitted financial report of 2012 to my head office,No one is aware of this money and will ever be aware of it.I have placed this funds in what we called "Escrow Suspense Account”with no beneficiary. As an officer of this bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money, this is why i am contacting you as a foreigner to stand as the beneficiary of this fund

We will talk in details as soon as you confirm your interest

Looking forward to your response for more information

Best regards,
Mr.Faruq
 

Anti-fraud resources: