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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: Pauline Douglas <paulinedouglas2005@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2013 08:39:02 +0000
Subject: REF: INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE


FROM: Mrs PAULINE DOUGLAS

CONFIDENTIAL

REF: INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE

Dear,

I am writing with my personal respect in regards to my family venture in
your country, I am researching for Good firm as a reliable, Trustworthy and
God fearing. I got your contact through the help of chamber of commerce in
Abidjan the Capital of COTE D'IVOIRE.In deed I am the wife of Late MR KOVO
DOUGLAS from Sierra Leone. I and My two children are presently staying in
Burkina Faso as Refugees; my husband was one of the Ministers of Johnny
Paul Koromah's regimes in Sierra Leone.

During the intervention of the ECOLOGY Soldiers to restore the presidency
of Alhaji Tejan KABBAH from Johnny Koromah’s, my husband was among the 23
executed Ministers. As our breadwinner is dead (my husband) and our stays
in Sierra Leone are no more save, I and my two children decided to move to
Burkina Faso a Neighbouring African Country for safety. Due to our Status
in Burkina Faso as refugees I was forced to Lodge our family funds (USD
$25million) in finance house.


Ever since then we have been receiving help from our Mission, because we
are staying in one of the Visitor's villa in the church premises and
attends Fellowship and worship fully. I hope you will be Touched to
understand my request.


We have agreed to invest our money valuable in any overseas country through
your assistance and Directives.
You will provide or look for a lucrative venture where this money can be
invested on, before proceeding, we will get to be more familiar and also go
into an Understanding working agreement because our family's Future now
depends on this money. The boxes containing the money and treasures were
all deposited and Registered as a family treasures. This was done for
Security reasons.


We would like to know what you will take as your Percentage for assisting
us.


We sincerely wish to introduce and make you our Business partner and
overseer of our proposed Investment in your country.

We are prepared to send all the documents regarding to this deposit as soon
as you show you're immediate Response Email. Do not fail to give me your
telephone and fax numbers.

Best Regards,

Mrs. PAULINE DOUGLAS

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