419 scam: "=?gb2312?B?QWJiZXk=?=" <lcl@alcatel-online.com> =?gb2312?B?UmU6IEltbWVkaWF0ZSBUcmFuc2Zlcg==?=quired Info:9

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "=?gb2312?B?QWJiZXk=?=" <lcl@alcatel-online.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:33:16 +0800
Subject: =?gb2312?B?UmU6IEltbWVkaWF0ZSBUcmFuc2Zlcg==?=

Abbey National plc
2 Triton Square, Regent's Place,
London, Nw13an

Good day,

RE: THE PAYMENT BY SWIFT OR MT103 TO MIDLGB22 OF $15,000,000.00

This department of Abbey National plc was instructed to remit the total
sum of $15,000,000.00 on your behalf as your payment hold by
Central Bank of Nigeri.

The transfer effects immediately as we confirm the following.

(i) The receiving bank account information of yours.

(ii) The direct telephone numbers of your account manager who will confirm
the receipt in your account.

Lastly, you are advice to make payment of $198.00 being for transfer
assessment/registration receipt to Central Bank of Nigeri, send
the fees via western union,the receiver's name hereunder:

Receiver's Name: Eze Morris
Address: Lagos, Nigeria.
Amount: $198.00

(iii) Forward the payment receipt with the receiving bank account
information of yours to us for immediate transfer of your fund.

The fund will confirm in your account within two days.

Regards,

Mr. Nathan Bostock
Director
Abbey National plc
2 Triton Square, Regent's Place,
London, Nw13an

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam