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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:
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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:
  • "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • +2348077084780 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: mrifeanyiiteego@sify.com
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:00:06 +0600 (IST)
Subject: WESTERN UNION PAYMENT


Dear Beneficiary,



With all due respect, I am writing to you in regards of your over payment you made during in the processes of receiving your



over due contract payment from Central Bank Of Nigeria and offshore payment.



The panel of enquiry have mandated us to return USD$8,500 to you which has been already wired back to you through



western union money transfer, Here is the Control number (MTCN - 1102238711) the question is Return and Answer is you.



You are adviced to go to western union money transfer office to pick-up your refund of $8,500 with this control number, test



question and answer stated above and you are further adviced to STOP forthwith any further payment to any person or any



office until you receive this money which is your balance for the over payment you had made.

Thanks for your cooperation.



Mr. Ifeanyi Iteego.

Opperations Officer

Tel: 234-8077084780



WARNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!



YOU HAVE TO PICK UP THE WESTERN UNION BEFORE 7 WORKING DAYS OR THE TRANSACTION WILL BE CANCELLED, PLEASE GET BACK TO ME IMMEDIATELY. ONCE YOU RECEIVE THIS MASSAGE.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam