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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: "Ms. Cindy Melissa Amadi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <babycindy1990@live.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2014 10:25:39 +0100
Subject: Hear my cry and help for mutual benefit

From Miss Cindy Amadi
Living Faith Church
Abuja,
Nigeria

Dear,

My name is Miss Cindy Amadi,I am 23 years old girl from Nigeria in West Africa. I want to have a common relationship with you, I need to tell you more things, but first I need your help to Stand for me as a trustee.
My father late Chief Nicholas Amadi was a businessman before his death on November 9th, 2009.I am the only child because my mother died while giving birth to me.
Some months after the death of my father, two of my uncles conspired against me and sold my father's properties to a Chinese businessman all because I am a girl.

After many weeks, I opened my father's briefcase and saw some documents which my late father used and deposited money in a Bank here in Nigeria with my name as the next of kin. I have tried to withdraw the money so that I can start a better life and take care of myself.
The Branch manager of the Bank whom I met in person told me that my present status does not permit me by the local laws to clear money or make a transfer of money into an account.
He advised me to provide a trustee who will help me and invest the money or I should wait till when I will be 30 years old according to the law and tradition of my place in Nigeria.

I have chosen to contact you and would like you to take me as your own blood and help me. I will like to disclose much to you if you can help me to relocate to your country because my uncle has threatened to kill me.
The amount is TEN Million US Dollars ($10,000,000.00) and I have confirmed it from the bank.

You will help me to place the money in a more profitable business investment in your Country.You will also help by getting a nice University in your country so that I can complete my studies.
It is my intention to hand over the total money to you so you may take care of me with it and also invest in anything you wish. I just need to be educated.

Get Back To me Via My Private and Secured Email : babycindy1990@live.com

As soon as I receive your interest in helping me, I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely.

Please do keep this only to your self. I beg you not to disclose it to anyone until I come over to your country because I am afraid of my wicked uncle who has threatened to kill me.


Sincerely yours

Miss Cindy Amadi

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