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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:
  • "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 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)
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: Lemo Tunde <tuntlem67@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <lem2_tundelem43@sify.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 04:07:40 +0100
Subject: CONGRATULATION.



FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIAINTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENTWIRE TRANSFER OF US$10.500,000 MILLION DOLLARS PAYMENTFrom the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria in the year 2007, your name and company details was discovered on the list of those who have not received their fund.I wish to officially notify 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 our file, your outstanding contract payment is USD$10.500,000.00 (Ten Million, Five Hundred United States Dollars). Kindly re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm the information below to enable this office proceed and finalize your fund remittance without further delays.1) Your full name.2) Phone, fax and mobile #.3) Company name, position and address.4) Profession, age and marital status.5) Copy of Drivers License I .D.As soon as the above information are received, your payment will be made available to you via an international certified bank draft or via Wire Transfer, which will be delivered to you for your confirmation.You should email me immediately as soon as you receive this letter for further discussion and more clarification and ensure that you forward me all the details requested to via e-mail as instructed.Best Regards,Dr TUNDE LEMODIRECTOR, FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENTCENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA(CBN).
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam