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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:
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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:

• 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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +2348037227940 (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.
  • musa1idris@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: musa idris <musa_22idris@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <musa_1idris@myway.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:00:18 +0100
Subject: urgent reply please



Mr Musa Sani IdrisDivisional Head, Operations,UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC..36 Broad Street, Marina, Lagos-Nigeria.TELEPHONE:234-8037227940EMAIL: musa1idris@myway.com.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Mr Musa Idris, a Divisional Head of Operations, with the UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC. I was personal account manager to one late Engr Walter of your country, who till his death was a contractor with Impresario Nigeria Limited, Moenier Oil & Gas Consult and Nigerian Ports authority. On the 4th of May, 2002, Engr Walter his wife and their two children were involved in a plane crash and all passengers on board and the crew unfortunately lost their lives. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1968616.stm At the time of his death, Walter had a deposit of $15.6 Million, which was proceed of a contract work he just concluded with the Nigerian Ports authority. The payment was made with an Eco bank cheque, which I personally cleared. Unfortunately, till this moment no one has come as his relation for his deposit with us. Since it is over five years, the money will be handed over to the government if no body comes to lay claim of the money as the beneficiary/next of kin to the account owner according to governing rules of the bank. I humbly request your attention to this matter so that I can present you as his next of kin or beneficiary to his deposit. It is not a very difficult thing to do especially as you share the same last name with him and it will not take time too. All we need is to change the name and particulars of his next of kin to yours in our computer database and we file in an application for the release of the fund through the Probate Office in your name. It does not necessarily mean that you must be here to conclude the deal; we may request that the money be sent to Europe for payment. Please contact me as quickly as possible on the above email address or on this alternative email address; musa1idris@myway.com We will talk about the sharing ratio as soon as you get in touch with me. Kind regards, Musa Sani Idris
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam