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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: "Dr. Wilfred Ego" <wilfred.ego@accountant.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2015 18:40:52 +0100
Subject: URGENT - IMMEDIATE PAYMENT

Dear Beneficiary

I am Dr. Wilfred Ego, after our meeting on Wednesday 25th
day of February 2015 I was appointed as the new accountant
for the release of your fund $2.350,000.00 here in Nigeria.
Sir, i believe this name sounds strange to you, but I am
delighted to write you in respect of your fund remittance,
which transfer has remained unsuccessful.

Sir, i am very sure you must have lost hope of ever getting
your $2.350,000.00 funds transfer released especially after
all the frustrations, endless disappointment and broken
promises in the hands of some officials.

I write to notify that your contract/inheritance fund has
undergone several clarification and verification by the high
authorities in Nigeria with out any problem.
I will like to let you know that your fund can be release to
you through the means below:
(1) ATM MASTER CARD DELIVERY ($185)
(2) WIRE TRANSFER($1,120)
(3) CONSIGNMENT($389)
(4) BANK DRAFT(185)

You are advice to choose from these options and resent your
current information for the release of your $2.350,000.00
before the closing date.

Attach herein a photocopy of my working ID card.
Thank you for banking with United Bank of Africa Uba.

Dr. Wilfred Ego
Account Officer
United Bank of Africa Uba.

Anti-fraud resources: