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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:
  • "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)
  • "million us 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)
  • "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: "FINAL CONTRACT PAYMENT" <marklgwe@nsk.biz>
Reply-To: ubnigplc@ubbi.com
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 21:04:14 +0100
Subject: IT'S IMPORTANT YOU READ THIS


FINAL CONTRACT / NEXT OF KIN PAYMENT VERIFICATION
UNION BANK PLC,
Nigeria Country Office (NGFO)
Plot 813, Lake Chad Crescent
Maitama District,
Lagos, Nigeria.

ATTN:Sir/Madam,

FINAL CONTRACT / NEXT OF KIN PAYMENT VERIFICATIONAttention: 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 beneficiaries forthwith
unconditionally. From the records of outstanding debts due for payment with
the Federal Government of Nigeria your name was discovered as next of kin on
the list of the outstanding beneficiary who have not received their
payment.We 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 contract payment is US$6.Million
US Dollars (Six Million,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 and Marital Status.
As soon as this information's are received, your payment will be made to
you.

Regards,
Mr. Mark Igwe.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam