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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Luc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <deollie.albttt@mynet.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2019 03:54:57 -0800
Subject: $# Thank you.

Dear Mail Address Owner,
 
Sorry to disturb you with this proposal. Please for security reason and also due to what is happening all over the internet now are days, I would prefer to send you my full names and that of my father's name through my private email. But I lives in FRANCE, and i attend university and work part time as a hair maker.  I lost my father in an auto accident prompting my mother’s death because of it. Please i got your contact through Microsoft email owners list and I decided to contact you.
 
My Father, willed me a portion of his real estate holdings and income properties valued at USD$5.200,000 Five million two hundred thousand dollars. And I have yet to place a claim on it in the bank till now because my Fathers stipulation was that I am either 35 years of age or get married to a man. Alternatively, i can introduce somebody of my choice that will stand in for me as the next of kin by (Allowing the person to be in control), and the person must be from 35 years above.
 
But right now things are not good for me, and I do like to have the money now to help myself. Hence I am still 26 years of AGE. I will be happy to offer you this opportunity to stand in for me, or if you have a trustworthy man, it could be your brother, or your friend, i don’t mind to share of it for your assistance. The most important thing is for me to get this money out from the bank through you or any person you will introduced to me, but the secret will remains between both of us.  Honestly, I really do need this money.
 
My worried and fear now is, can I really trust you or the person? i am scared due to what my so called boyfriend did to me early last year, I actually trusted him  with all my heart, but he betrayed me and ripped me off my money and left me with noting due to my  EAR condition.
 
But I believe and I know that everything will be fine to the glory of God, because with God all things possible. In conclusion, your interest will be properly protected. Please send me your complete name and address, including your picture.
 
Thanks.

Anti-fraud resources: