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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: "POWERBALL® Incorporation" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2016 14:14:37 -0700
Subject: POWERBALL® WINNING NOTIFICATION.

This is to inform you that you have won a Lottery worth of $1, 500,000 which you will come to any of
our local office near you for collection.We therefore urge you to open the attached file named winning
number and then click RUN to view which you would find inside the winning number attached.The file is
encrypted so you need not worry.You must make sure you open the attached file and then click RUN
to view and then you will gain access to your winning number which you will come to any of our office
near you  then your fund will be released to you.
 
 
I want you to proceed now and open the attached winning number named LOTTO then click on RUN to
view your winning number and collection point.Attached is your winning number.

Anti-fraud resources: