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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: "Ambassador Patricia Mahoney" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <CotonouAmbassadeUSAstate.gov@representative.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2021 14:01:07 +0200
Subject: SCAM VICTIM COMPENSATION $6.5M USD

I am Patricia Mahoney, the new U.S Ambassador to Benin. I have received today the total of $6.5M USD from the Benin Government as a compensation to you for what you went through in the name of their Country. How do you wish to receive your compensation funds?


Kindly re-confirm the following

Name:
Address:
Phone:
Occupation:
Age:
Country:
How much you lost to the impostors:


I hope to read from you soon.


Yours in Service

Ambassador Patricia Mahoney.
U.S Ambassador to Benin.
Direct Tel: +22965050504.

Anti-fraud resources: