419 scam: "UNITED KINGDOM LOTTERY 2010"<test2@logs.uk.com> STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND URGENT!,

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "goodluckjames@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2347042399380 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "UNITED KINGDOM LOTTERY 2010" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <goodluckjames@w.cn>
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 02:48:32 +0100
Subject: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND URGENT!,

FROM THE DESK OF ENGR.GOODLUCK JAMES.
Director, Project Implementation
DIRECT: TEL/FAX: +234-7042399380
Email: goodluckjames@w.cn

Dear Sir/Madam,

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND URGENT!

The Nigerian economy has witnessed a steady growth since the end of militry rule. Within the Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources where I worked as director of Auditing and Project Implementation, Mining and Quarrying alone contributes 12.3% GDP ($25.9Billion), Gold made up $19.9Billion of the yearly export while Base metals and other mineral products contribute $6.7Billion and $5.0Billion respectively. This figure excludes Diamond, which is quoted separately.

The Government has continuously strived to improve and maintain good relationship with foreign governments and Non-Governmental financial agencies by ensuring payments for all debts owed to foreign contractors. As a matter of fact, the Government has sponsored several trade delegations overseas to improve and attract foreign investments to Nigeria.

I write, asking for your indulgence in re-profiling funds to tune of Twenty Five Million, Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$25.8m) which we want to keep safely overseas under your supervision. In other words, we would like you to receive the said funds on our behalf. The Funds were derived over time from a project awarded to a foreign firm by my Department, and presently the actual contract cost have been paid to the original project executors, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount which we have in principle obtained approval to remit overseas.

Currently, I work as a Director of Projects at The Department of Minerals & Energy here in Lagos. I have the authority and approval of my partners involved in this transaction to negotiate a suitable compensation for your participation and I propose 22.2 percent, while we also propose that we receive 46.6 percent and 31.2 percent be earmarked for purposes of taxation.

This endeavor has a minimal risk factor on your part provided you treat it with the utmost discretion. You are advised to reach me through email for further clarification.

I await in anticipation your fullest co-operation.

Best regards,

ENGR.GOODLUCK JAMES.
DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS AND ENERGY{F.R.N}

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam