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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: "SUN TRUST BANK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info.suntrustbankcontactoffice@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2017 12:14:19 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION: SUN TRUST BANK, NEW YORK,USA

SUN TRUST BANK
NEW YORK,USA
 
 
ATTENTION:
 
This is to officially inform you that the UNITED NATIONS AUDITORS have authorized SUN TRUST BANK,NEW YORK to approve your fund for immediate release. You are advise to reconfirm the following details:
 
Full Name------
Phone/Mobile number------
Full Address------------
 
 
As soon as the above information is received for verification purpose, I will forward your file to the payment authority for final approval and prompt release of your fund without any further delay. This process will take only 48 working hours as soon as we hear from you.
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Sincerely,
 
MR.JOHN HART
SUN TRUST BANK,NEW YORK

Anti-fraud resources: