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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.

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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "million 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)
  • "million 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)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "abuja" (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.
  • +2348050380903 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. TUNDE LEMO" <tunde_lemo_2007@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <tundelemo96@yahoo.no>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 08:10:53 -0400
Subject: HELLO MY GOOD FRIEND



FROM THE DESK OF MR. TUNDE LEMO.DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN).GARIKI ABUJA. TELL : 234-805-0380903. IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF A CONTRACT PAYMENT WORTH OF US$35MILLION WITH CONTRACT NUMBER #:MAV/FGN/MIN/2003. ATTENTION: HONOURABLE CONTRACTOR Dear, From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Federal government of Nigeria, your name was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payment. 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 the record in my file your outstanding contract payment is US$35 Million Dollars (Thirty Five Million United States Dollars) only. I am aware that you did not execute any contract with Nigeria Government, but based on my position as the Board Director of (CBN) I was able to include your name in the list of outstanding contractors who have not received their due payment. In view of this development I seek your assistance to receive the said fund into your account because it is 100 per cent risk free both now and in future. More importantly, the sharing method will be 50-50 Please if this is ok by you, then confirm to me the following: 1) Your full name and address 2) Phone, fax and mobile #. 3) Company's name, position and address. 4) Profession, age and marital status. 5) Your banking coordinates. As soon as this information is received, the payment will be made to you by Swift Wire Transfer OR Certified Bank Draft by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Call me on my direct number as soon as you receive this letter for more details. Best Regards,
Mr.Tunde Lemo.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam