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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: paul a <g.bog11@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <paulacquahgovatgob@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2007 22:38:52 +0000
Subject: THE GOVERNOR


FROM THE DESK OF
THE GOVERNOR
BANK OF GHANA
(BOG)REPUBLIC OF GHANA

Dear Sir/Madam,

IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF YOUR CONTRACT/INHERITANCE ON CONTRACT #:MAV/GNPC/GH/MIN/009.

>From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Government of Ghana, your name and company was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payments. I wish to inform you that your payment is being approved and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.

Also note that from my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is US$15.7 million dollars (Fifteen Million Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollar. Please re-confirm to me if this is in-line with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, Fax and Mobile Number
3) Company name and Address
4) Bank account details, Swift Code, Account Number and Beneficiary
5) Any kind of identification.

As soon as this information are received, your payment will be made to you by telegraphic wired transfer, certified bank draft or by diplomatic courier payment base on your choice, and will directly from Bank of Ghana and the copy of transfer slip or payment backup documents will be given to you for you to take to your bank and confirm it. Get back to me as soon as you receive this mail for more details.

Cordially yours,

Dr. Paul Acquah
Governor (BOG)

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam