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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: "Jim Yong Kim" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nedbank.atmvisacard@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 06:15:26 +0200
Subject: World Bank debt recovery unit

Be informed that the World Bank debt recovery unit has approved your US$ 4.2 Million interest sum which has been with NEDBANK OF SOUTH AFRICAfor many years as UNCLAIMED. You are advised in your own interest to contact Mr. Tom Adams the new Head of foreign operations of the Bank via Email: nedbank7@gmail.com , Phone: +27 619171068. Send him the se details: FULL NAME, MAILING Thanks from
Jim Yong Kim
World Bank Group President

Anti-fraud resources: