419 Scam FAQ
Everything you need to know about advance fee fraud and how to protect yourself
$12.5B
Lost Annually to Fraud
Millions
Of Scam Emails Sent Daily
22
Years of Baiting Experience
What is a 419 Scam?
A 419 scam (also known as advance fee fraud) is a type of fraud where criminals contact victims with promises of large sums of money in exchange for a small upfront payment or personal information.
Why is it called "419"?
The name comes from Section 419 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, which deals with fraud. While many of these scams originated from Nigeria, they now come from all over the world.
Common Types of 419 Scams
- Nigerian Prince: Claims to be royalty needing help transferring money
- Lottery Scam: Claims you've won a lottery you never entered
- Romance Scam: Fake romantic relationship leading to money requests
- Investment Scam: Promises of high returns on investments
- Inheritance Scam: Claims you've inherited money from a stranger
How to Protect Yourself
- Never send money to strangers
- Don't give out personal information
- Be skeptical of unsolicited emails
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
- Verify claims independently
What to Do If You're Targeted
If you receive a scam email, don't respond! Instead:
- Delete the email
- Report it to your email provider
- Forward it to the FTC at spam@uce.gov
- Visit our forum to learn more