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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. Mark David" <westernunion@socoven.com>
Reply-To: atmofficeauthoriza@foxmail.com
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2015 17:13:45 -0500
Subject: Western Union Authority!!!!




Attention: Customer

We have made the best inquiry and found out that your payment was pressed
on-hold by the IMF authority for Transfer Permit Certificate. And we have
verified this certificate to cost you the sum of $55 us dollars only. Send
us your Once we receive the payment today we shall secure the certificate
and forward to IMF for urgent release of your funds for pick up. Send it
through Western Union as follows

Receiver names... Midokpe Edvige Tovichede
Country...Benin Republic
City... Cotonou
What color..??
Answer...Red
Amount... $55 dollars only

phone number +229 99922562
Mr. Mark David
E-mail: westernunionauthority@consultant.com
Western Union Coordinator

Anti-fraud resources: