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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • a0edscpaymentofficer@inmail24.com

Fraud email example:

From: EDSC INFO CENTRE <walifred008@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: edscpaymentofficer@inmail24.com
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 10:28:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: DEAR CLIENT,YOUR FUNDS HAS BEEN ACCREDITED FOR IMMEDIATE PAYMENT.



=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0FROM THE DESK OF MICHAEL USESE,
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 =A0ECOWAS DEBT SETTLEMENT COMITT=
EE (EDSC),
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0INFOMATION CENTRE.
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=20
=A0
Dear Client,=20

We are=A0responsible for representing your outgoing pending inheritance=A0p=
ayment of US$1.2 Million through your email address=A0approved by World Mon=
etary Institution which has been delayed due to the problem on cash movemen=
t and transfer of Huge sum of money. This is to inform you that your paymen=
t has been effected through a new secure system for making fast confirmed p=
ayments overseas .The account is set up under your email address only. The=
=A0funds is in escrow for your receiver under your email address and can no=
t be recalled without the codes.=20

The Payment Office of Ecowas Debt Settlement Comittee should have sent you =
an email by now with details such as when and where to pick up the cash. Yo=
u can pick up=A0your cash at any of the convenient=A0BANK in your area. If =
there are no convenient location near you, you can request=A0for the=A0KEY =
TESTED TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFER (KTT) of=A0your=A0funds=A0 within 7 bank workin=
g days.=20

If you have not received your=A0funds=A0yet, please contact payment=A0offic=
er,Mr James Blair=A0at email address:=A0edscpaymentofficer@inmail24.com=A0t=
o enable the programming of your information in the micro chip compartment =
of central computer data system and your=A0cheque will be sent to you, when=
writing to=A0 payment office always include the following information:=20
=A0
Full Name ........................................,,
Complete Address: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Nationality :,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Tel number: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Your receiver Email: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Occupation :..............................,,,,,,,,
Your Transaction Number: 1356990745/08=20
Transfer Date :10th-07-2008=20
Expected Arrival Date:12th-07-2008=20
Transact Amount: US$1.2 Million.=20
Text: ------------------------------------------

=A0

As a matter of fact, this office will not entertain your further dealings w=
ith any third party to avoid duplication of effort on your payment process =
in other to serve you better otherwise your payment will be cancelled. We a=
re out to correct the wrong done in the past by your representative but all=
we want from you is your utmost co-operation and kind understanding by adh=
ering to the laid down instruction.
Finally be inform that your funds are fully free of any liens or encumbranc=
es and are clean, clear and non-criminal origin and are available to pick, =
this guarantee is witnesed by the World Bank Group, International Monetary =
Funds (IMF) Paris and London Club of creditors,IRS, European=A0Union (EU) a=
nd the Envoy's of our Correspondence International Bank of Settlement world=
Wide.=20

Thanks in advance for your understanding and co-operation.=20
Regards,=20

Michael Usese.=20
ECOWAS DEBT SETTLEMENT COMITTEE.
(EDSC). =0A=0A=0A

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam