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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: "Mr. Collins Murray" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cmfsa2014@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2015 04:24:06 -0800
Subject: COMPLIMENTS! YOUR APPROVED FUND TRANSFER REMINDER.

Date: 30th December, 2015.
 
FROM MR. COLLINS MURRAY.
HEAD OF FINANCIAL SERVICE AUTHORITY INVESTIGATION AND SETTLEMENT TEAM, UK.
 
RE: File Number: FSAIST/L-UK/US/0024/13.
 
I am glad to inform you that from our investigation as directed by FSA, we discovered an unpaid/unclaimed fund in your name which was supposed to be paid out to you a long time ago, but was not due to some logistic reasons.
 
However, an arrangement has been made for you to receive your outstanding fund through the Reserve bank of South Africa by electronic transfer.
 
It may interest you to know that we have successfully concluded arrangements with Reserve bank of South Africa to transfer your fund to you by electronic transfer. This arrangement was made for easy transfer of your fund to your bank account.
 
We have already moved your payment file to the appropriate department of the Reserve bank of South Africa and you will be directed on how to contact the bank as soon as you indicate your readiness to receive your fund through them.
 
You are hereby advised to confirm your readiness to receive your fund through Reserve bank of South Africa, so that we shall send you the contact details of the deputy governor of Reserve bank of South Africa to enable you contact him for your fund transfer.
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Regards,
 
Mr. Collins Murray.
HEAD OF FINANCIAL SERVICE AUTHORITY INVESTIGATION AND SETTLEMENT TEAM, UK.
www.yac.mx

Anti-fraud resources: