419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:

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.
- +34634192374 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: CITISOLUTIONS@snug.pobox.com, FINANCIAL@snug.pobox.com,
<guarantee_profits@hotmail.it>
Reply-To: citi.solu@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:08:48 +0200
Subject: CITISOLUTIONS FINANCIAL,

DEAR SIR/ MADAM

I =91LL LIKE TO INTRODUCE MY SELF TO YOU FIRST. MY NAME IS MR. MICHAEL COOMB, =
OCCUPATION MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CITI SOLUTIONES FINANCIER, I AM 40 YEARS OLD. =
TO PAY OFF OUR CREDITORS, AS WE ARE A PRIVATE COMPANY OF CITI SOLUTIONES. HAS =
BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 8 YEARS AND OUR INDUSTRY REPUTATION SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. =
ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR OPTIONS IS INVESTORS I HUMBLY APPLY ON BEHALF OF MY =
CLIENT. AS A

MATTER OF FACT SHE IS ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE AND TRUST WORTHY =
COMPANY TO INVEST AND LEGALIZE HER FUND. THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION. MR =
MAARTEN SCHREPPERS
FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INVESTMENT DEPARTMENT.

MR MAARTEN SCHREPPERS
OPERATIONS MANAGER

CITISOLUTIONS FINANCIAL,
CALLE LOPEZ DE HOYOS, 327-6.3
Office Phone+34-918-886-326
Fax Phone +34- 940-468-878
Move Tel: +34-634 192 374
MADRID SPAIN

MR MICHAEL COOMB
CHAIRMAN & C.E.O

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam