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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: hetty doro wimmer <hettydorotheawimmer@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2014 04:37:35 -0700
Subject: PLEASE TRY READ MY MESSAGE MY DEAREST

Hello Dear,

I am Hetty Dorothea Wimmer and will be glad if you can be helpful in
helping me pass my inheritance, which is the sum of (8.500.000.00 Million
Euro) only, which remained in the bank. after the death of my both parents
I lost my parents years ago in terrible accident in april 11 2011 on
monday.

After a years of death of my parents. I went to the bank to withdraw the
money so that I can start a better life and take care of myself the
International Remittance Manager of the Bank whom I meet in the bank told
me that my father instruction to the bank that, the money will be release
to me only when I am present a trustee who will help me and invest the
money in the country the person are. On whatever country the person know
that his good to in invest the money for me. I have chosen to contact you
after my prayers and I believe that you will not betray my trust. I will
like donated some of my funds to charities orphans, widows e.t.c.

Please i want you to help me invest this money well, Now permit me to ask
these few questions:-
1. Can I completely trust you?
2. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you
after the money is in your account?

Please,Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible.
Thank you so much.
My sincere regards,
Ms Hetty Dorothea Wimmer.

Anti-fraud resources: