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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Ben Mellow" <benmellow001@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: benmellow2000@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 11:46:27 +0100
Subject: FUNDS TRANSFER



Dear Friend,

I guess this letter may come to you as surprise since I had no previous correspondence with you.

I am the "Director of Finance" and also the Chairman of the "Due Process Committee" of Federal Ministry of Housing & Urban Development (FMHUD) .

I got your contact in my Search for a reliable person to assist me in handling a very confidential transaction involving the transfer of US$30.5 million.

The above fund is not connected with arms, drugs or Money laundering; neither is it related to any SCAM of any sort.
It is the product of an over-invoiced Contract awarded in 2003 by FMHUD, prior to the General Elections, to a foreign company for the construction of Residential Estates in all the 36 (Thirty-Six) State capitals in the Federation.

The contract has long been executed and payment of the actual contract amount has been paid to the Foreign contractor leaving the balance, which my colleagues and I now want to transfer out of Nigeria, as a Third World Country, into a reliable foreign account for our personal use.

As civil servants we are not allowed to run foreign accounts. Hence we have chosen to front and support you as the Beneficiary to be paid this outstanding amount.

If you are interested in the proposal kindly get back to me by sending me your letter of acceptance along with:-
(1) Your Private Email Address, and
(2) Direct Telephone and Fax numbers.

We have decided to share the money in the following Ration/Percentage:
(i) 70% for us, and (ii) 20% for you (the account owner) and (iii) 10% to cover all incidental expenses on all sides.

Further details about this transaction will be discussed in the subsequent correspondence.

Note also that the particular nature of your business is irrelevant to this transaction and all local contacts and arrangements are in place for a smooth and successful conclusion of this transaction.

Be informed that I am aware of the way email proposals of this type are being sent from Third World Countries; and as regards that, you should please treat this with utmost attention knowing fully well that you cannot and will not be compelled to assist us if you are not disposed to.

Contact me via email with your contact telephone and fax Numbers, so that I can call you for a discussion.

Thank you as I await your response.

Sincere Regards to you & your family.

Dr Ben Mellow

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam