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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: William T <markdurstin@gmail.com>
Reply-To: wilmthembu@aol.com
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2016 11:08:04 +0200
Subject: Intensive Search



--
Dear Friend,

With my intensive search for my late patron relatives whom passed away
2009 alongside his household and left behind Sixteen Million, Seven
Hundred United States Dollars in our bank.

I came to discover that you share the same last name with my client, I
want to front you as a legatee to his estate. If this suits your
interest, please send your cell/telephone, fax and names, for more
details.

Regards
William Temple

Anti-fraud resources: