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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: "Rev. Patrick Owode" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rev.patowode@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 18:10:37 +0100
Subject: Read carefully and please get back to me urgently.

Rev. Patrick Owode
Senior Controller, Customers Service.
FIDELITY BANK PLC, RC 103022.
1, Fidelity Bank Close, off kofo Abayomi Street Victoria Island.
Lagos Nigeria,
Cell #: +234 8168 883 785
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
On the 5th of January 2009 a gang of militants from the Niger Delta in bayelsa state attacked and bombed oil refineries/ fields located on the Creeks of that region killing four (4) expatriate staff and 10 local staff of the company including Engr. (Aaron Bergman) who was a customer with my above mentioned Bank (Fidelity Bank Plc.). Consequently I was mandated by the Management of my bank as his account service controller to help locate any of his close relation to Claim the money he deposited with the bank.
 
Mr.Aaron has in his account with Fidelity Bank plc before his sudden death the total sum of Twenty million six hundred and thirteen thousand united states dollar ($20.613 million USA dollars) among other personal effects, including a life assurance policy worth $2.8 million insured with American International Insurance Company's African regional office in Nigeria (AIICO). As a matter of fact i have tried every human efforts to locate any of his close relatives which proved abortive all because he did not reside here in Nigeria with any of his immediate family being a contractual staff with shell petroleum development company (SPDC) except his dog called foster.
 
Therefore, Having been unsuccessful in locating any of his close relatives this past years mostly as his 4 ( four) years contract is due to expire very soon , I have decided to contact you to assist in Repatriating the money and properties of which he left behind before they get confiscated or declared Unserviceable by the bank and the insurance.
 
I seek your consent and cooperation to present you as the next of kin to the deceased, over the Proceeds of this account valued at ($20.613 million US Dollars) to be paid to you and then you and I can share the money in the ratio of 48% to me and 47% to you, while the balance 5% will be set aside for any contingency expenses we may encounter in course of this transaction.
 
An attorney will be contracted to assist us in re-validating and also to notarize all necessary legal documents of which will be used to back up our claims. All I need of you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this project a huge success.
 
I guarantee you that this project will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and me from any breach of the law. I will appreciate some measure of confidentiality until we finish the project, because of my position in the bank.
 
 
 
Yours Sincerely,
Rev. Patrick Owode. (For Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi managing director f/b)

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