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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: mike adams <mikeadamsama@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2017 14:15:53 +0200
Subject: Department of Minerals & Energy South Africa

Department of Minerals & Energy South Africa
142 highlands North Balfour Park
Johannesburg, South Africa.


I am sincerely seeking for your confidence in this transaction, which I
propose as a person of integrity. I am Engr. Mike Nkosi , a native of
Western Cape in the Republic of South Africa and a deputy director with the
department of minerals and Energy (contract award committee). I got your
contact details from the South Africa Exchange Information On-line Service
(S.A.E.I.S) in my search for a reputable company or individual to assist me
sincerely and confidentially, which your information and profile proved
very satisfactory, so I decided to contact you immediately.

I am willing to offer you 30% of the total amount for your assistance and
the balance 70% would be mine to investment overseas.

All modalities for the transfer of this fund have been put in place and I
am using this opportunity to assure you that the transfer process is
entirely risk free and as such you should bring out your mind and work with
me.
I anticipate a favorable reply from you as a future partner in this
business.

Yours faithfully,
Engr. Mike Nkosi

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