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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "to your nominated bank 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)
  • "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)
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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.
  • +2348066382718 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • abouchambers@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: max abou <maxmane222@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:36:30 +0000
Subject: VERY URGENT MESSAGE PLEASE GET BACK TO ME SOONEST.



BARCLAYS BANK PLC FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT63 St. MaryLAND LAGOS NIGERIA EC3A 8LE.INHERITANCE #: MAV//BDBR/MIN/009, Swift Code: BPH KPL PK, A/C#:329606=101244=169=678 Our Ref: CBB/IRD/CBX/021/04 BARCLAYS BANK PLC FROM DR.MAX MANE.65 NIGHTSBRIDE,NIGERIA LAGOS.FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENTBARCLAYS BANK PLCOUR REF: CBB/IRD/CBX/021/04INHERITANCE #: MAV/BDBR/MIN/009.SWIFT CODE: BPH KPL PKA/C #: 329606=101244=169=678Direct Contact Line:+2348066382718. Attn: Beneficiary IMMEDIATE INHERITANCE PAYMENT REF: MAV/BDBR/MIN/009After a meeting held by the board of directors of the above mentioned bank and the Minister of finance including the Audit/Accounts Unit of United Nations here in nigeria to see to the release of long term debt owed to many foreigners around the globe who have been denied of their payments,This bank (Barclays Bank Plc) has been authorized to handle the urgent release of all funds owed by any of the financial institution or country that is a member of the United Nations, the release of your funds will be handled by the Barclays Bank in conjuction with the representative of the United Nations Audit Department here in nigeria to ensure immediate payment in your favour and to avoid delay. From the records of outstanding inheritance claim due for payment submited by the United Nations to Barclays Bank Of England, your name is next on the list of the outstanding inheritance to be settled. I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from my records in my file your outstanding inheritance payment is $10.5MUSD (Ten million Five hundred thousand united states dollars) Kindly re-confirm the following information to Dr.abou bala,the Assistant Director Of Barclays Bank Of England who is in-charge of the release of your funds since the mandate of making this payment in your favor started, Contact him immediately via e-mail for the proceedings of your immediate payment: Also re-confirm the followings:1) Your full name.2) Phone number ( mobile should be included)3) Company name, position and address.4) Profession, age and marital status. As soon as he receives the information mentioned above, your paymentwill be made to you in a certified bank draft or wired to your nominated bank account directly from the Barclays Bank of NIGERIA. Note:that the United Nations is authorised to handle this payment tokeep a clean slate of inheritance debt settlement because someGovernment officials and individuals have tried to transfer this fundsto you but failed. You are hereby advised to stop any further communication with any oneelse or any other financial institution and comply to this to avoidany further delay.Remember that the United Nations and Government ofthe debtor country will not be interested in any complaint of not receving your funds if you fail to adhere to this instructions. Sequel to that you are advised only to attend to email and calls regarding this payment with our stipulated payment code of (BCX 021) Any email or call you receive without this payment code should be ignored. Be Warned RegardsFrom Dr. Steve ThompsonAssistant Executive DirectorBarclays Bank Of nigeria eimail abouchambers@myway.com
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam