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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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 american 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)
  • ",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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +2348022748521 (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.
  • martinmase2@zipmail.com.br (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Martin Mase" <martinmase@btconnect.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 05:55:04 +0100
Subject: FROM: MR MARTIN MASE

FROM: MR MARTIN MASE
CHAIRMAN CONTRACT AWARD COMMITTEE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC)
LAGOS - NIGERIA
CELL PHONE: 234-8022748521
Email: martinmase2@zipmail.com.br <mailto:martinmase2@zipmail.com.br>


GOOD DAY

REQUEST FOR URGENT CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP IN RESPECT OF THE TRANSFER OF US$40,000,000.00 (FORTY MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY)


I, on behalf of my other colleagues from different Federal Government of Nigeria owned parastatals decided to solicit your assistance as regards the transfer of the above stated amount into your bank account. This fund arose from the over-invoicing of various contracts awarded in my parastatal to certain foreign contractors sometime ago.


We as holders of official positions in our various parastatals, were mandated by this new civilian government to scrutinize all payments made to certain foreign contractors by the past military government, and we discovered that some of the contracts they executed were grossly over-invoiced, either by omission or commission. Also, we discovered that the sum of $45,000,000.00 (Forty Five million American Dollars only) was lying in a suspense account, although the foreign contractors were fully paid their entitlements after executing the said contracts.


We all agreed that the over-invoiced amount be transferred (for our own use) into a bank account provided by a foreign partner, as the code of conduct of the Federal civil service does not allow us to operate foreign accounts.

However, we have succeeded in transferring some of these monies, precisely US$5M (Five Million American Dollars only) into a foreign account in GENEVA (SWITZERLAND) last week, but unfortunately the provider of the account has severed all forms of contacts with us as he has refused to adhere to our earlier mutual agreement insisting that the total amount be paid into his nominated bank account before disbursement will take effect.

If for US$5.Million (Five million only) we are not compensated, how can one guarantee full compensation on remittance of the balance of US$40 million (Forty Million American dollars only).We are therefore seeking your assistance based on the balance amount of US$40 Million which can be speedily processed and fully remitted into your nominated bank account. On successful remittance of the fund into your account, you will be compensated with 35% of the amount for assistance and services and 65% is for me and my colleagues.


This transaction is closely knitted and in view of our SENSITIVE POSITION we cannot afford a slip, I assure you that this transaction is 100% risk free. We will avail you with our identities as regards our respective offices when relationship is fully established and smooth operation commences.


I am at your disposition to entertain any question(s) from you in respect of this transaction, so, contact me immediately through my e-mail or the above telephone numbers for further information on the requirements and procedure.

Please, note that this DEAL needs utmost confidentiality.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Martin Mase

NB: please reply to the mail below or above: martinmase2@zipmail.com.br <mailto:martinmase2@zipmail.com.br>

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam