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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "money orders " (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.
  • +2348063576754 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Ibrahim Lamorde <efcc_ng_desk0@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: r.crago@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2008 15:09:27 -0800 (PST)
Subject: ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION


ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION
WUSE ZONE TWO
ABUJA NIGERIA.

ATTENTION: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN;

We are investigating into your transaction(s) here in NIGERIA, believed to had or involve either; some form of purchase of goods/services or lottery winnings or inheritance claim etc, and bring to book, your so-called business associates. If you happen to have fallen for any of the under listed circumstances via any of the aforementioned schemes, I strongly, urge you to contact us immediately for recovery of your lost monies.

i. Such constant demand for upfront payments from
your so-called associates to their PA’s or Shipping agents.

ii. Fake cheques, Money orders and other forms of
payments devised by these con artists

iii. Remitting monies into specific banks they claim
to have accounts with.

It is in that view that; the President ordered this humble and reputable commission to swing into action, to help victims of these fraudsters to not only recover their loses, but also, catch these fraudsters. It is in that view that you should contact the coordinating officer in
charge to be guided accordingly.

CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE CO-ORDINATING OFFICER:
Mr. Robert Crago
Tel: +234 806 357 6754

Thank you

Yours faithfully,
Ibrahim Lamorde
Acting CHAIRMAN
EFCC NIGERIA.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_and_Financial_Crimes_Commission)



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam