Nigerian prince scam emails: how the advance-fee scam works
Quick answer
An email from a "prince", lawyer or banker promising you a share of a huge sum if you pay a fee first is an advance-fee scam, also called a 419 scam. The money doesn't exist. Don't reply or pay. Delete it, and report it to the FBI, FTC or Action Fraud, depending on where you live.
- Comes by
- Email, Mail, Social media
- Last updated
How it works
The FBI describes the Nigerian prince scam as a variation of advance fee fraud. A sender pretends to be an official, lawyer or banker who needs help moving a large sum of money out of a country. In return for your help, you'll get a share.
First they ask for your personal and bank details. Then there's a fee: a tax, a legal cost or a transfer charge you must pay before the money can be released. Each payment is followed by another reason to pay more. The money doesn't exist, and victims usually lose what they send.
The name "419" comes from the section of Nigeria's criminal code that covers fraud. It doesn't mean the sender is Nigerian: the story can be set anywhere. The FBI also notes that after payments stop, scammers have misused the personal details and checks they collected to drain victims' accounts.
Red flags
- An unexpected email from a stranger offering a share of millions
- Badly written messages with a story about a royal, an official or an inheritance
- A demand for secrecy
- A request for your bank details or ID
- Fees, taxes or legal costs to "unlock" the money
- Urgency: the offer expires soon
Example message
Dear friend, I am [name], a lawyer handling the estate of a late client who has no relatives. He left $[amount] and I have chosen you as the beneficiary. Reply with your full name, address and bank details so I can begin the transfer. A small fee is needed for the legal documents.
What to do
- 1
Don't reply
Even a reply that says "no" confirms your address is live. Delete the message.
- 2
Don't send money or documents
No genuine windfall asks for a fee up front. Don't share your bank details, ID or a signed letter.
- 3
If you sent money
Contact your bank or the transfer service straight away and tell them it was fraud. Stop paying further fees.
- 4
If you gave bank or ID details
Call your bank on the number on your card, watch your statements, change online banking passwords and consider a credit freeze.
- 5
Report it
The FBI says to report these to the FBI, the Secret Service, the US Postal Inspection Service or the FTC. In the UK use Action Fraud's 419 guidance.
- 6
Beware of recovery offers
Someone offering to get your money back for a fee is usually the same scam in a new form.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers rarely guess. Names, phone numbers, email addresses and home addresses are sold by data brokers, listed on people-search sites such as Spokeo, and leaked in breaches, which is how a message can reach you with your name already on it. Serus finds the brokers that list you and removes your listings, and alerts you when your details turn up in a breach, so fewer scammers can build a convincing message about you. If you've already shared details, our guide on what to do after a data breach covers the next steps.
Frequently asked
Why is it called a 419 scam?
It's named after section 419 of the Nigerian criminal code, which covers fraud. The sender doesn't have to be Nigerian.
Is the Nigerian prince email still a scam today?
Yes. The FBI and Action Fraud both describe the advance-fee pattern: a promised fortune that requires you to pay fees first.
What if I already replied?
Stop contact. Don't send money or details. If you shared bank or ID details, watch your accounts and tell your bank.
Who do I report it to?
In the US, the FBI, FTC, Secret Service or Postal Inspection Service. In the UK, Action Fraud.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
