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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "clearance document" (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. )
  • ",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)
  • "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• 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.
  • +447045747929 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +448709749017 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • transfer.citybnkonlineplc@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "mike duka" <mike05m@mail.mn>
Reply-To: transfercitybnkonlineplc@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:47:26 -0700
Subject: (YOUR LONG OVER DUE PAYMENT)RE: INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT


*Citi Bank Plc.
International Banking Center
16 East cheap, London EC3M 1BD.
http://www.citibank.co.uk
transfer.citybnkonlineplc@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: +44 70457 47929 Fax: +44 87097 49017


Dear Sir/Madam


RE: INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF $12,500,000.00


We at this bank wish to congratulate and inform you that after thorough
review and evaluation of your Inheritance/Contract funds in conjunction
with the World Bank Auditor General and the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) assessment report, your payment file was forwarded to us for
immediate transfer of the above quoted amount to your designated bank
account from their offshore account with us.


The reports given to us shows that you have been going through hard
times to see to the release of your funds, which has been delayed by
some dubious officials. We therefore advice that you stop further
communication with any correspondence outside this office.


You required Non-Residential Clearance documentation which our legal
team have been obligated to assist you with the process, to enable us
credit your account directly by telegraphic transfer or through any of
our corresponding banks and send copies of the funds transfer release
documents to you and your bankers for confirmation.


Should you follow our directives, your funds will be credited and
reflect in your account within five (5) bank working days from the day
you obtain this Non-Residential Clearance Form. For further details and
assistance on this Remittance Notification, kindly forward your


1. Your Full Name:
2. Nationality:
3. Current Contact Address:
4. Current Email-Address:
5. Occupation:
6. Tel /Fax #:
7. Age / Sex:


Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Larry Carlton (PhD).
Head Of International Banking Division.
Citi Bank Plc. United Kingdom.




(c)2007,2008 Citi Bank Plc: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam