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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "transfer into your account" (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)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "ben okoro" <ben_okoro1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: benokoro22@yahoo.it
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2006 08:55:51 +0000
Subject: GOOD DAY

My Dear,
I am MR Ben  Okoro,auditor with central bank of Nigeria (CBN), while checking contractors payment files I discovered an unclaimed sum of money [$10. million Dollars] Belonging to one Mr. Angus Hang of taiwan who was a contractor with the Nigeria National Petroleum corporation (NNPC). He died two years ago his contract number is NNPC/2930/MXN/28/PED/920.
I am writing you this letter to ask for your support and co-operation to transfer this money into your bank account.
Infarct it is my friend that advised me to urgently arrange to transfer out this money through another foreign Beneficiary outside the country since the owner Mr. Angus Hang is a foreigner and he has died two years ago, but the management did not know about this money.
Our central bank guidelines indicate that if such money remains unclaimed for a period of three (3) years, it will be transfer into central bank Treasury as unclaimed fund.
 
My dear this will be an oportunity for us to transfer this money in your name may be as the next of kin to Mr. Angus Hang, then I will provid the document of claim in your name as the beneficiary of the US$10 million, and the money will be transfer into your account without any delay.
please my dear I will like you to give your Full name to enable me secure all the document in your name and also your telephone and fax numbers for effective communication.
 
I have decided to share the money 60% for me, 40% to you.
I will do my best to see that we conclude this transaction successfully on time.
Please, also take my address No. 25 Shaibu close, Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria.
I want you to know that all what l require from you in this transaction is sincerity and honesty for this arrangement is for our benefits.
Waiting for your response
Best Regards.
MR Ben Okoro.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam