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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: "Mrs. Jiang Gunaratna" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jiang4charity@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2018 13:42:20 -0500
Subject: re..

Good day,

Season Greeting to you My name is Mrs. Jiang Gunaratna I am 69 years old,
I am a dying woman who has decided to donate what I have to
you/churches/ motherless babies/less privileged/widows.I have
diagnosed with cancer about 2 years ago. I have been touched by God to
donate from what I have inherited from my late husband to you for good
work of God. Please if you are ready to assist me to distribute my
funds of Twenty Million Dollars to charity. Awaiting your reply.

Your sister in the Lord,
Mrs. Jiang Gunaratna.

Anti-fraud resources: