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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: "DOUGLAS RICHARD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <douglasrichard1012@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:02:19 +0200
Subject: FUND TRANSFER??

I am Dr. Douglas Richard , Manager for the US Department of Treasury Direct Account. This is to officially inform you that United Nation and World Bank/IMF instructed me to contact you and release your Compensation Payment value at US$20.5M has been accredited and approved in your favor.
 
United Nation Compensation Award Committee setup to compensate the huge losses of the victims of the internet scam/fraud; you are also warned to disengage from future pursuit of unlearned transaction.
 
Your fund can release to you through ATM Master Card or Bank to Bank wire transfer.
 
Kindly send your full details listed below.
 
1) Your Full Name……………..
2) Your Mobile Number and Fax……….
3) Your Home address………………
4) Your age and Occupation………
5) Your Full Company bank account details.
 
We are waiting to hear from you so that all legal documents from Department of Treasury Direct Account and World Bank/IMF will be release to you before your fund will be release to you.
 
Regards,
 
Dr. Douglas Richard.

Anti-fraud resources: