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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: Benjamin William <benjaminwilliam917@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2013 09:04:17 +0000
Subject: Hello

Dear Friend,

My name is Benjamin William, Am a Senior Manager and a seasoned Banker here
in Malaysia (Berhad office), I occupy the position of Senior Manager in
this branch office; it is with good spirit of heart I opened up this great
opportunity to you. A deceased client of mine, that bears the same last
name as yours, died as the result of a heart-related condition on March
12th 2005. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of
his family in the tsunami disaster on the 26th December 2004 in Sumatra
Indonesia .http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake for
more information.

My late Client has a deposit of twenty one point three million dollars
(US$21. 300, 000, 00 Million Dollars) left behind I contacted you so I can
present you as my late client next of kin, so the money can be transferred
to your account, and we will share it together, Please reply immediately
with your information including your full name, full address and telephone
number for easy communication with you. I await your prompt response
immediately,

Best Regards,

Benjamin William

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