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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: Kate Thomas <kt017027@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2021 11:37:28 +0100
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL

Hello Dear.

I am Mrs KATE THOMAS a UK citizen, It is a pleasure to contact you at this
time, regardless of the current Covid-19 second wave, however, let me go
straight to the point, I have a life changing proposal for you, i have in
my bank an existence of a huge amount of money that belongs to a late
customer who happen to bear the same surname as yours.

The fund is now without any claim because my late client was among those
who lost their lives in the deadly earthquake that occurred in Japan 2011.
I want your cooperation so as to make my bank send you the fund as the
beneficiary / next of kin to the unclaimed funds, under my close
supervision.

This transaction will be of great mutual assistance to both of us and
families. Kindly send me your reply of interest so that I will give you the
full details and put you through on the way forward.

Most Regards
Mrs KATE THOMAS

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