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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: emily alison <emilyalison0@outlook.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 21:34:50 +0000
Subject: Dear Respectable One,




Dear Respectable One,I am writing this letter in confidence pleading you to help me, I will appreciate and reward you abundantly and I assure you that you will never regret this.
I am Miss Emily Alison, 20 years old and the only daughter and child of late Mr Koffi Alison who died on his business trip to ethiopia with his only brother. It is sad to inform you that my father was poisoned by his only brother because of his wealth.
Since then i have been facing a lot of difficulties from my late father's only brother who threw me out from my father's house and claimed my late father's properties and investments immediately after the death of my father. Due to this fact,i felt insecure and decided to contact you confidentially seeking your help to assist me in transferring the USD$10.5M (Ten Million, Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars) my father deposited in a fixed suspense account into the bank.felt that in your country is where i will investments and you will secure a good place for me in your country where i will have a peaceful living. I have suffered a lot of humiliations from my late father's only brother and i don't want to loose my life too.
Sir, I am honorably seeking your assistance in the following ways,
1) To provide a bank account where this money would be transferred.
2) To serve as the guardian of this fund.
3) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my education and to secure a residential permit for me in your country.
Moreover, I am willing to offer you 30% of the total sum as compensation for your effort input after the successful transfer of this fund to your account.
Furthermore, you can indicate your option towards assisting me as I believe that this transaction would be concluded within seven (7) days you signify interest to assist me.
Anticipating hearing from you.please contact me through this mail Address (emilyalison@yeah.net)
I wait your urgent reply for details on how to do the transfer.
RegardsMiss Emily Alison

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