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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: "Mr. Marion Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mariojohnsonagant@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2017 13:43:40 -0700
Subject: Re:Confidential Business Proposal

Dear:Sir/Ma,
 
                                                  Subject:Confidential Business Proposal
 
Having consulted with my colleagues and based on the information gathered from the  Belgium Chambers Of Commerce And Industry, I have the privilege to request  your assistance to transfer the sum of €47,500,000.00 (forty seven million, five hundred thousand Euro) into your accounts.
 
The above sum resulted from an over-invoiced contract, executed, commissioned and paid for about two years (2) ago by a foreign contractor. This action was however intentional and since then the fund has been in a suspense account at The bank here in  Belgium.
 
We are now ready to transfer the fund overseas and that is where you come in. It is important to inform you that as civil servants, we are forbidden to operate a foreign account; that is why we require your assistance. The total sum will be shared as follows: 55% for us, 40% for you and 5% for local and international expenses incidental to the transfer .
 
However, I would want to know if it will be possible for you to first come to Belgium and have a meeting with me so that we can know ourselves very well and to also clear any doubts that you might be having at the moment? This will help us to know each other and to discuss and deliberate further on how to make the whole money available to you without hitches.
 
The transfer is risk free on both sides. I am an accountant with the Department of Minerals & Energy (Project Implementation Unit). If you find this proposal acceptable, we shall require the following documents:
 
(1) Your private telephone, email address and fax numbers —for onfidentiality and easy communication.
 
(2) Your full name and address to secure legal documents in your name Alternatively we will furnish you with the text of what to type into your letter-headed paper, along with a breakdown explaining, comprehensively what we require of you. The business will take us thirty (30) working days to accomplish.
 
 
Please reply urgently.
 
 
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Marion Johnson

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