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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.

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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:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "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)
  • "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
  • "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (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 next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +2348077372912 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael Obi" <michael_obi@klikni.cz>
Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 18:58:53 +0200
Subject: GOOD NEWS. CALL ME


*

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS
TINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS

Attn: Hon. Beneficiary,

RE: IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF YOUR INHERITANCE FUND.

Following the protest of the International Community, The World Bank, IMF
and the instruction by the President and Commander in Chief of the armed
forces(Umaru Musa Yar'adua) that all outstanding foreign debts especially
next of kin payment should be released to the benefeciaries forthwith
unconditionally.

From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the
Government of Nigeria. Your name and company was discovered as next of kin
on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not received their
payments. I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will
be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that
from the record in my file, your outstanding payment is (Ten Million, Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record
and also re-confirm to me the followings:

(1) Your full name.
(2) Phone, Fax and Mobile #.
(3) Company name, Position and Address.
(4) Profession, Age Sex and marital status.
(5) Any kind of identification

As soon as this information are received, your payment will be made to you
in a certified bank draft or wired to your bank account directly from
Central bank of Nigeria or any of the sisters bank and the copy of transfer
confirmation information's will be given to you for you to take to your bank
and confirm it. My Direct Telephone number is +234-8077372912, Be kind
enough to call me immediately upn the receipt of this email for further
directives.

YOURS SINCERELY,
MICHAEL OBI.
DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL BANKING.
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)

*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam