419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- cannonlilian@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Cannon Lilian <cannonlilian03@live.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:06:43 +0000
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?May_the_al?= =?windows-1256?Q?mighty_God?=
=?windows-1256?Q?_be_with_y?= =?windows-1256?Q?ou_as_you_?=
=?windows-1256?Q?read_this_?= =?windows-1256?Q?mail=3F=FE?=

May the almighty God be with you as you read this mail? Do not pity me for God is my strength even in my last days. I am Mrs. Lilian Cannon; I am a widow to the Late Dr. Edward Cannon, the former ambassador of England to Norway. We own Treasure Art Inc and Treasure Crude Oil Marketers; we are very wealthy we have a lot of properties including Shares and houses. I am 72 year of age now dedicated to contribute to the happiness of the less privileged members of the society. I am suffering from cancer of the Pelvic my condition is serious; according to my doctor it is quite obvious that I may not survive the sickness.
The story of my life is pathetic.
I have never really cared for others but my family and our fortune until my late husband and my only daughter died in the crash of Swiss air Flight 111 on the 2, of September 1998. This event devastated me and changed the course of my life and I made up my mind to do the work of my creator by giving to the needy. I sold all my husband's properties and shares to enable me raise some money to continue my mission. I raised the sum of $15.5 Million Dollars which I deposited with a security company here in Europe . Now that my sickness has gone to this stage, I am scared and I want the fund to be used for the work of God all over the world.
I have prayed to God to direct me to an honest person who will receive this fund and utilize it for things that will glorify the name of God, after my prayers, I decided to search and i decided to contact you to receive the fund. This is on the condition that you will take only 20% of the fund for yourself, 10% for any expenses, while you will distribute the remaining 70% to charity organizations in your community.
I can not predict what will be my fate by the time you claim the fund but you should please ensure that the fund is used as I have described above.
I await your urgent reply on my private email.(cannonlilian@yahoo.com)
Most sincerely,
Mrs. Lilian Cannon..

Anti-fraud resources:

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