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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: "Mr Emmanuel Iwu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mremmaniwu@qq.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2014 19:32:36 +0100
Subject: REPLY

It might be a surprise to you reading from me now. I am a B a n k e r my names are Mr. Emmanuel Iwu from U n i t e d B a n k for A f r i c a (U B A), and a personal account officer to my Late customer, a national of your country, He was a outworker worked with an oil company here in Nig.
 
Ordinarily, I wouldn't have contacted you but for the simple fact is that I am looking for the possible recipient to the d e p o s i t e d money of my deceased c l i e n t, whose unclaimed f u n d s are left with the B a n k valued U S
$10.5 million. I have been ordered by the B a n k to provide the next of kin within the next 7days or consider the f u n d confiscate.
 
I am writing you following an opportunity in my position that will be of great benefit to us as you are bearing the same last surname name with my late client and I wish you not to countenance this offer.
 
Further explanatory details shall be made known to you upon your response.
For more information, details please contact me with your phone number for easy Message as I wish to offer you 40% of the total Finance for your help.
 
Mr Emmanuel Iwu
 

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