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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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.

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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:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "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.
  • +2348022458211 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Skye Bank" <info.skyebankplcnig@klikni.cz>
Reply-To: skye_bankplcnig15@post.ro
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 05:12:11 -0700
Subject: Instructions To Transfer Your Fund


Skye Bank Plc
Registered Office: Skyebank House, Alausa
Ikeka, Lagos. Registered No: 973008 NG.
Private Mailbag: M2 3LS: cable: sbank.


INSTRUCTIONS TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF $2,500,000.00USD (TWO
MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) ONLY.

Dear,

The Skye Bank Plc: is a finance company based here in Nigeria; we represent
some African governments to offset their debts that have arrived from
contract jobs, inheritance, and major trade funds. These countries include
Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and South Africa etc.

I would want you to know and understand that I do not know you in person
neither have I in anyway transacted with you before but I am contacting you
on the information given to me by the governing body of this bank and in
reference to the enabling act of the World Bank/ IMF payment prerequisites.

Presently, I have your email address on my file for immediate PAYMENT
CONTACT, which was approved by the accountant general, as all claims for
this quarter of the fiscal year approved are paid out through our bank.

You are required to contact, Senior Manager, Currency Control
Unit/Remittance for your claims. You are advised to attach to your email
with the below information to enable the completion of your fund wire
transfer:

Beneficiary Full name:
Address:
Tell:

Please Contact:

Mr. John Freel
Senior Manager: Remittance/Currency Control Unit,
For: Skye Bank Plc,
Direct line: +2348022458211
E-mail: skye_bankplcnig@post.ro

We are very sorry for the delay on proceed please accept our apologies.

Yours Faithfully

Mrs. Susan Hudson
Secretary to: Foreign Operations
For: Skye Bank Plc

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam