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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:
  • "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)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "mark peter" <arpm.peter21@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 12:14:44 +0100
Subject: transfer of your funds.


*Central Bank of Nigeria
(Foreign Remittance Unit)
Tinubu Square,
Lagos.
Dear,*

*It has taken me concerted efforts to locate your private email address to
inform you of the transfer of forty-eight million five hundred thousand
United States dollars (USD48.5M) from an account file in your name here in
our bank.I have a problem: *

*Your private telephone number is currently not in your file here for me to
give you the most confidential part of this proposed transfer. *

*Do supply us with your personal data to enable the director of Foreign
Remittance, Dr Ahmed Lafia guide you on the necessary and legitimate steps
to follow for the funds to be transfered into your private account in your
country.*

*I will appreciate any per centage you are willing to offer us from the
entire sum having confirmed it in your account. Transfer has been billed to
be 100% risk-free and legitimate.
Reply me for more detail.*

*Mr Mark Peters*

*(ACCOUNTANT,
Central Bank Remittance Unit)*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam