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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Miss Juliette Kouauo <missjuliette2kouauo@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <juliette76kouauo@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2014 13:14:09 +0000
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?From_Miss_?= =?windows-1256?Q?Juliette_K?=
=?windows-1256?Q?ouauo_(_AS?= =?windows-1256?Q?SISTANCE_T?=
=?windows-1256?Q?O_INVEST_I?= =?windows-1256?Q?N_YOUR_COU?=
=?windows-1256?Q?NTRY=FE=FE?=

From Miss Juliette Kouauo

Good Day,

ASSISTANCE TO INVEST IN YOUR COUNTRY.

I
am Miss Juliette Kouauo the only daughter of late Dr Kouaou Daniel of
blessed memory, who was the Director General of the Cocoa Export
Corporation(C.E.C.) of Ivory Coast and was killed by rebel forces here
in Ivory Coast few months ago.

As the only daughter of my late
father before his death he informed me of the sum of US$25,500,000.00
(twenty five million five hundred thousand US dollars) deposited here in
my name as next of kin.

Meanwhile I want to travel out of Ivory
Coast entirely because of the political crisis here in my country,I want
you to assist me move this money into your nominated private account in
your country.

You shall also search for good investment, so that
I will invest the money wisely. I have agreed to give you 10% of the
total sum and 5% mapped out for expenses. Immediately you receive this
message for more information to enable me proceed in earnest towards
concluding all arrangements to transfer the fund. No other person knows
about this money only you.

Awaiting your most urgent response.

Thanks for your co-operation and remain blessed.

Best Regards,

Miss Juliette Kouauo

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam