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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
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• 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 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)
  • "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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.
  • mrfestuseze@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <mrfestuseze@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:31:49 +0000
Subject: NOFICATION OF YOUR FUND



FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS TINUBU SQUARE, MARINA LAGOS NIGERIA. Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CGX/NNPC/021/06 ATTN: contractors, During the Third Quarter Payment Schedule of the financial records of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) it was discovered from the records of outstanding Foreign contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria that your name is next on the list of Those who will receive their fund. I wish to officially notify you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.Also once we receive the information's from you for the President of Federal Government of Nigeria will Approve it to enable us release the fund to your account. Note that from the record in our file, your outstanding contract payment is US D$5,000000.00(Five Million United States Dollars). Kindly re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your Record and also re-confirm the information below to enable this office Proceed and finalize your fund remittance without further delays. 1) Your full name. 2) Phone, fax and mobile #. 3) Company name, position and address. 4) Profession, age and marital status. 5) Home Equity (YES or NO): As soon as the above information are received, your payment will be Made available to you via an international certified bank draft, which will be delivered to your doorstep for your confirmation or through Bank transfer. As soon as you receive this letter for further Discussion and more clarification. Please don't fail to reply me on this email:mrfestuseze@gmail.com YOURS SINCERELY, Festus Eze. DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam