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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:
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "contract review panel" (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.
  • +2348022043613 (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.
  • prof.chukwumacsoludo@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: John Michael <john115michael@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <johnm11359@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:46:03 -0800
Subject: REF: FERES9ASWIFT/USD



REF: FERES9ASWIFT/USD
FROM: THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEBT
SENATE CHAMBERS ABUJA NIGERIA
THROUGH: THE OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL
NIGERIAN FOREIGN RESERVE ACCOUNT.

Attn Honorable Contractor,

I am directed by the Senate Committee on National Debt and the Board of National Contract Review Panel to inform you that your overdue Contract Payment have been approved for immediate payment contract sum of USD$ 35,000,000.00, your payment is Schedule to be paid to you directly by Telegraphic Transfer or Certified Bank Draft, through CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA, after verification and authentication of claims by the joint effort of the representatives of the above currently in UNITED KINGDOM. Your payment reference code is FERES9ASWIFT/USD; always quote when making contact for claim of your fund.

You are requested to contact the CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA for your Fund Clearance Certificate (FCC) and the Subsequence transfer of your fund which will enable you to confirm the arrival of the fund in your bank, you are Requested to contact the Director International Remittance Desk or the Governor Central Bank of Nigeria on E-mail: prof.chukwumacsoludo@yahoo.co.uk or D/L: +234-802204-3613 if you encounter any delay or difficulties, please feel free to contact this office with your queries for assistance and clarifications on this E-mail: john.michael113@information.la Meanwhile, our records confirm that you have been extorted and your File tossed around for a very long time by the previous Democracy Government Officials. You may be or have been receiving several letters and promises, please disregard them. Your payment has been cleared waiting for claim.

Please act fast as time is of great essence for your payment. Let me also use this medium to convey on behalf of the Government and Good people of Nigeria our sincere regret on the impediment you have Uncounted in your quest to receive this contract payment.

Yours truly,

Hon. John M. Ezenwa
Cc: OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY
Cc: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
Cc: WORLD BANK
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam