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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.

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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:
  • "million us 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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned 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.
  • +2348025542104 (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.
  • ahmedsultan44k@mynet.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Ahmed Sultan" <ahmedsultan26k@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 13:53:25 +0100
Subject: Assalamualaikum! Permission to Remit (Very Private)


From: Mr. Ahmed Sultan
The Crescent Mosque
14 Mosque Avenue, Ikoyi,
P.M.B. 12701, Lagos, Nigeria.
Telephone: +234-802 554 2104
Email: ahmedsultan44k@mynet.com


Assalamualaikum,


PERMISSION TO REMIT US$21MILLION INTO YOUR COMPANY OR PRIVATE ACCOUNT.


It is my pleasure to write and inform you of a transaction involving the
transfer of US $21,000,000.00 (twenty one million US dollars) only into a
foreign account for safekeeping pending my arrival to your country for the
sharing with you as the account owner into which the money is remitted.


I am an accountant with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),
Abuja and this money originated from an over-invoiced contract executed for
the corporation some years back. A foreign firm has long completed this
contract and the contractor duly paid. I now seek if you would permit the
surplus to be remitted into your account.


As a matter of fact, I am a top government official and I cannot come out
openly to claim this amount. This is why I am looking for a competent and
honest company or individual abroad whose documents will be tendered here in
Nigeria as one of the contractors that executed the project. However, I
would wish to receive your personal assurance that you would not sit on the
money when it goes into your account. More importantly, you keep
confidential this transaction,in order not to tarnish the confidence repose
in the officials involved in this transaction.


To effect this transfer, I therefore request the following: YOUR ACCOUNT
NUMBER, THE NAME OF YOUR BANK WHERE THE MONEY WOULD BE TRANSFERRED INTO AND
ALSO YOUR PRIVATE FAX AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR QUICK COMMUNICATION.


So far, after due consultations, you were strongly and reliably recommended
to me although we have not met or entered into any kind of contract with you
before as to know the extent of your ho nesty, but based on the
recommendation, I personally want to believe that you are honest enough and
would not sit on the money if finally got into your account.


It is on this note that I consider it proper to write you asking for your
permission and support to transfer this amount into your account. Again, I
consider you to be of average intelligence and potentially highly qualified
to handle this transaction.


You should not fear any risk because we have concluded arrangement to safe
guard you in the transaction. This business is 100% risk free. Hence it
requires high level of confidence and secrecy. Meanwhile, this is the
breakdown of the sharing modalities: (A). 10% WILL BE USED TO SETTLE
TRANSFER CHARGES AND LEGAL PROTOCOLS. (B). 30% IS FOR USING YOUR ACCOUNT.
(C). 60% OF IT WILL BE FOR US THE ORIGINATORS.


Be informed that on completion of this business, I will use part of my money
to invest in your country under your care. Please note that the transfer
operation may take ten to twelve working days to be completed.


Please contact me by the above telephone or email.


Thanks,


Mr. Ahmed Sultan
Direct Telephone: +234-802 554 2104






-------------- CONFIDENTIALITY-----------
This email and attachment, if any, is intended only for the person to whom
it is addressed. The contents may be privileged, confidential or otherwise
protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, please
notify me immediately and then delete this document. Do not disclose the
contents of this document to any other person, nor take any copies.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam