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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: "Tom Stein" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tomstein0042@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2016 14:03:39 -0400
Subject: PLEASE REPLY ME

Hello to you,

I certainly believe that knowing someone starts from a step. I am looking for a foreign partner hence am sending this mail to you for an opportunity to work together with you.

I wish to seek for your honest assistance to secure an opportunity to invest in your country if you are reliable and trustworthy. I have a substantial capital available here in the United Kingdom and I intend to invest with you into a very lucrative business venture of which you are to advise. This fund was derived from tenders that were awarded to various contractors in the past but were not executed, while the funds have already been commissioned for payment.

As the Head of the Contract Tenders Board of United Kingdom, I have been able to arranged these funds for final payment by virtue of my position. The only thing I require from you is your acceptance to serve as host to this fund, by providing an account where this fund will be transferred, while every other thing shall be be taken care of by me.

Your country would be the ideal place for investing this money, obviously due to its great potentials that are still untapped. Hence, my reason for looking towards your direction.

Be assured that this transaction is risk free as all modalities have already been observed before contacting you. The transfer of this fund shall also be given every required legal backing and this will be of great benefit to both of us and I cannot achieve this without your assistance as a foreigner.

Procedures as well as the percentage for your kind assistance and participation shall further be discussed upon your response.

I will appreciate your urgent response please.

Warm regards,
Mr. Tom Stein

Anti-fraud resources: