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Advance Fee / 419 Scams
The original internet scam. A wealthy foreign official promises you millions if you help transfer money — then takes yours instead.
$700M+
Annual losses (US)
15,000+ annually (US)
Reported victims/year
Report Now
FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
🎭 How Scammers Do It: Tactics
- ▸ Pose as Nigerian royalty, government officials, or stranded millionaires
- ▸ Promise large sums (millions) in exchange for a small upfront "fee"
- ▸ Create elaborate backstories with official-looking documents
- ▸ Use urgency and secrecy to prevent victims from seeking advice
- ▸ Continually invent new "fees" to string victims along
- ▸ Emotional manipulation — making victims feel like co-conspirators
🚩 Red Flags: Stop If You See These
⚠ Unsolicited email promising large sums of money
⚠ Requests for upfront fees, taxes, or bribes
⚠ Claims of wealth stuck in a foreign country
⚠ Unusual secrecy — told not to tell family or friends
⚠ Increasingly large payment demands over time
⚠ Poor grammar or spelling in official documents
⚠ Use of free email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo) for "official" communications
🛡️ How to Protect Yourself
1. Never send money to someone you have not met in person
2. Ignore all unsolicited emails promising financial windfalls
3. Research any "official" person or agency independently
4. Never wire money or send gift cards to strangers
5. Talk to a trusted friend or family member before taking any financial action
6. Report suspicious emails to your national fraud reporting agency
📋 How to Report This Scam
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov