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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: "U.S Bank" <usbanktexas3@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2023 16:51:26 -0500
Subject: if not true, reply soonest

This is to let you know that we received a message from Donald Ryer who
claims to be your cousin. He told our bank that you died Thursday,
September 22, 2022, as a result of Corona Virus. He explained to us that
before you were taken away, you directed him to take over the business you
have with our Bank and his US$12,800,000.00 to be transferred to his A/c
for the benefit of the family you left behind.

We are contacting you to know if you are alive or dead as claimed by your
cousin. if we did not hear from you, we will conclude that it is true you
die as result of corona-virus pandemic, and will have no option that to
allow your cousin to claim your $12,800,000.00

Thanks

Mrs. Betty Clark
U.S.Bank Customer Care
https://www.usbank.com

Anti-fraud resources: