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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: "Jacob J. Lew" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jacobjlew@pochta.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2015 11:33:45 -0600
Subject: Attention: To Unpaid Beneficiary.

Attention: To Unpaid Beneficiary,

I am Jacob J. Lew, Secretary of the Treasury under the U.S. Department of the Treasury. You can get more details about me here:

http://www.treasury.gov/about/Pages/Secretary.aspx

Therefore, I travel to Nigeria from United States of America, after the recently concluded meeting with the World Bank and the United Nations, an agreement was reached between both parties for us to settle all outstanding payments accrued to individuals/corporations with respect to local and overseas contract payment, debt re-scheduling and outstanding compensation payment.

Fortunately, you have been selected alongside a few other beneficiaries to receive your own payment of $850,000 (Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars only).

We have been notified that you are yet to receive your fund valued at $850,000, and please indicate in your response through any choice very convenient for you to receive this payment.

You are advised to kindly reply this email with the below details enclosed to help us process your payment:

(1) Full Names:
(2) Residential Address:
(3) Country of Residence:
(4) Age:
(5) Phone/Cell Number:
(6) Occupation:
(7) A Copy of your driver licenses:

Note: I will proceed as soon as possible once you send the $150 for the paper works in order for me to get the documents that is needed to make the transfer successful.

You really have to stop dealing with those people that are contacting you and telling you that your fund is with them, it is not in anyway with them, they are only taking advantage of you and they will dry you up until you have nothing left.

Furthermore, I have a very limited time to stay in Nigeria so I would like you to urgently respond to this message so that I can advice you on how best to confirm your fund through any choice very convenient for you to receive this payment.

Yours faithfully,

Jacob J. Lew
Secretary of the Treasury
(U.S. Department of the Treasury)
Direct email: ( jacobjlew@pochta.com )

Note: The information contained in this e-mail is private & confidential and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us, preferably by e-mail, and do not read, copy or disclose the contents of this message to anyone.

Anti-fraud resources: