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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
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• 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:
  • "atm payment department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
  • "affidavit of claim" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
• 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.
  • +2347039200273
• 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.
  • atmpaymentdeptoceanicbank@tlen.pl

Fraud email example:

From: "Prof. Richard Walter" <mk_13@ig.com.br>
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 22:32:05 +0100
Subject: Good day,


Good day,

I have been waiting for you to come down here and pick your inheritance
claim Bank Draft of ($2.5 Million) but did not hear from you since that
time, then I went and deposited the Draft with Oceanic Bank Plc, right now
am in Argentina to see my client and will not come back untill next three
months. I have arranged with Oceanic Bank to make your payment to you with
their new ATM MASTER CARD which you can use to withdraw your money in any
ATM MACHINE around the globe.


You have to contact the Oceanic Bank Plc with your full contact information
as follows;


1.) FULL NAME
2.) ADDRESS WHERE YOU WANT THEM TO SEND THE ATM CARD
3.) PHONE AND FAX NUMBER
4.) YOUR AGE AND OCCUPATION
5.) ATTACH COPY OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION

However, Kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your
ATM MASTER CARD.

DR.MICHAEL WILLIAMS,
CONTACT ATM PAYMENT DEPARTMENT OCEANIC BANK OF NIGERIA PLC.
PHONE NUMBER :+234-703-920-0273
EMAIL:(atmpaymentdeptoceanicbank@tlen.pl)


I have paid for the processing and delivery charges.The only Money you will
pay is $155 Dollars which they will use to obtain the Affidavit of claim
Onwership from the Federal High Court.Try to contact them as soon as
possible to quicken the processing of your card before your Draft gets
Expired . Let me know as soon as you receive your ATM MASTER CARD.


Thanks


Prof. Richard Walter.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam