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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. Frank Koko" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr_frank_koko_04@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 11:39:09 +0700
Subject: Re:Ghost Accounts?

Dear Sir/Madam

I am Mr.Frank Koko, Director Foreign Allocation Department of the IMF. My office monitors and controls the affairs of the bank and approving of allforeign payments before the final release by the FUNDS TRANSFER Department. I am the final signatory to any transfer or remittance of huge funds movingwithin banks both on the local and international levels in line with foreign claim settlement.

I have before me list of funds, which could not be transferred to some nominated accounts as these accounts have been identified either “ghostaccounts”, “unclaimed deposits or over-invoiced" sum. On this note, I wish to have a deal with you as regards to these unpaid funds. I have a file beforeme and the data are correct and un-tampered. As it is my duty to recommend the transfer of these surplus funds to the Nigeria Treasury and ReserveAccounts as unclaimed deposits.

I have the opportunity to write you based on the instructions I received few days ago from the Foreign Debts reconciliation dept to submit the List ofpayment reports/expenditures and audited reports of revenues. In this light, I am soliciting for your confidentiality and consent to apportion thisunclaimed sum in your name as the beneficiary and it will be transferred or ship to you after necessary and due legalization and notarization of claim.

Every process of this transaction shall have the legal backup of the Court of law here in Nigeria in your favor as the Sole beneficiary. My conditions: 1.the sum of US$47.700, 000 Million Dollars only will be transfer into your account after the processing of all relevant legal documents with your name as the beneficiary, the transfer will be made by telegraphic Transfer (T/T) confirmable in 5 business days. 2. This deal must be kept secret forever,and all correspondence will be strictly by email/telephone for security purposes.

Thanks for your understanding.

Mr.Frank Koko.

Anti-fraud resources: