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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: "Mr. Peterson Thomas" <info@rina.org>
Reply-To: info.citygatebank3@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2024 04:20:05 -0700
Subject: UNDP APPROVED FUNDS

Following the official program from the United Nation Development Program (UNDP), the following email address is the beneficiary of the sum of €3,510,000.00 (Three Million Five Hundred and Ten Thousand Euros) only. The program was conducted through a random electronic ballot system, drawn from email addresses from different countries of the world.

The following is your winning secret code: (344521).

The management of the KBC Bank of Belgium was assigned to pay you the total sum €3,510,000.00 (Three Million Five Hundred and Ten Thousand Euros) only. Therefore, reconfirm the following information for us to proceed.

Full Name:
Home Address:
Phone Number:
A Copy of Your ID.

Your Urgent Response Will Be Appreciated.
Best Regards,
Reverend Peterson Thomas

Anti-fraud resources: