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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: "EDWARD COOKS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: < edwardcooks565654@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2018 02:36:23 -0300
Subject: Good Day.

 
Good Day: Dear Beneficiary,
DIRECTOR: WORLD FUND DISCOVERY MANAGEMENT AND PAYMENT BUREAU.
This letter is from the United Nation World Fund Discovery Management and Payment Bureau, newly established by the World Financial Service Authority United States of America, Europe, and Africa, and Asia, region.
This body was set up to discover an unpaid fund being owed to Governments or Individuals all over the world through Contract Payment, Inheritance and Lottery Winning Prize Awards and Scam victims settlement
It will interest you to know that we have discovered an unpaid / unclaimed sum of money in favor of your name and mandate has been given to this body World Fund Discovery Management and Payment Bureau to ensure that this fund gets to you immediately. The funds in question was awarded to you for some time now and we have sent several emails and memo to you to come forward and make the claims but you failed to respond back to us.(edwardcooks5637@gmail.com)
Note that a special payment arrangement has been made to remit this fund to you either through Telegraphic Wire Transfer (Online Banking), Diplomatic Means of Payment or
Alternatively come in person to any of our payment offices in Europe, America, Asia, Europe or Middle East.
You are advice to furnish this office with your contact information to enable us open up communication with you regarding the release of your Fund immediately.
Your Full Name
Your Complete Address
Name of City of Residence:
Date of Birth (Day / Month / Year):
Mobile Number:
Occupation:
.
Upon the receipt of your email and personal details, I will attach and send you a copy of my United Nations ID card for your confirmation / perusal.
Yours in Service,
Mr. EDWARDS COOK.
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Internal & Foreign Payment/Transfer.
The information on this e-mail may be confidential and/or legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee. Access to this e-mail by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful -Mr. Andrew Lloyd, CMG, MBE British High Commissioner and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS

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