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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:

Fraud email example:

From: "mohammed benaz" <mohammedbenaz@googlemail.com>
Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 03:08:45 +0100
Subject: I AWAIT YOUR URGENT REPLY


MINISTER OF FINANCE(MOF)
OPERATIONAL TOWERS;8/10
CARRIER CRESCENT,ABUJA, REPUBLIC. OF NIGERIA

ATTN:Sir/ Madam.
I am Hon.Dr.Mohammed Banez, minister of finance (M.A.R),I monitor offices
and control the affairs of all banks and financial institutions in republic
of Nigeria concerning foreign contract payments.I am the final signatory to
all foreign transfers of huge funds moving within banks both the local and
international levels in line to foreign contracts settlement.I have before
me the list of foreign contract payment files, which are due to be
transferred to their nominated accounts.

Meanwhile,we identified some of these accounts to be ghost
accounts,unclaimed deposits and over invoiced sum etc.I wish to have a deal
with you as regards to the unpaid fund.I have a file before me and hope the
data's are correct and un-tampered. As it is my duty to recommend the
transfer of these surplus fund to the Federal Government Treasury and
Reserve Accounts as unclaimed deposit.

I have the opportunity to write you based on the instruction I received two
days ago from the senate committee on contract payment/foreign debts to
submit the list of payment reports/expenditures and audited reports of
revenues.Among several others,I have decided to remit the total sum of
USD$15.2 Million Dollars following the idea that we have a deal/agreement
and I am going to perfect the paperwork legally.

MY CONDITIONS
1)You will have to provide foreign account where the funds will be
transferred.
2) This deal must be kept secret forever,and all correspondence will be
strictly by private email /telephone for security purposes
3) There should be no other third parties as most problems associated with
such payments are caused by their agents or representatives.

I will advise you on the next line of action and immediately the funds
transfer will commence without further delay as I would proceed to fix your
name on the payment schedule instantly within the next 5 working days.

NOTE: DUE TO THE HIGH RATES OF INTERNET SCAMMERS, IF YOU ARE REPLYING TO
THIS EMAIL,DO WRITE "YOUR BROTHER" AT THE SUBJECT OF YOUR REPLY ,THAT SERVES
AS OUR SECRET CODE FOR THIS TRANSACTION,BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT YOU TO FALL
VICTIM OF ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.PLEASE REPLY TO MY
ALTERNATIVE EMAIL ADDRESS:meyorbenaz@yahoo.com<ADDRESS%3Ameyorbenaz@yahoo.com>


YOURS FAITHFULLY.
HON: DR.M. BENAZ

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