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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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)
  • "card center will send you an atm card" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
  • "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)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: REV PAUL AKU <paul023aku_aku30@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mrpaul009aku09@inmail.sk>
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:48:55 +0000
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT VIA HSBC-VISA ATM DEBIT CARD.









YOUR PAYMENT VIA HSBC-VISA ATM DEBIT CARD.

Rev. Paul Aku

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN).



Attn:Beneficiary,

Account normalization of your banking details has been delayed by International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Financial Services Authority (UK). This has made it necessary for your contract payment to be programmed into HSBC Visa Atm Debit Card. The total fund in question is $1,300,000.00 This is the first part of the Payment of which the balance will subsequently be paid into same account.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), working in relationship with HSBC London has concluded to issue you a VISA CARD with which you can access your contract amount$1,300,000.000 This card center will send you an ATM card which you will use to withdraw your money in any ATM machine in any part of the world, but the maximum is five hundred united states dollars($500) per day. So if you like to receive your fund in this way, please let us know by contacting the ATM payment department and also send the following information as listed below:

Your Full Name: ______________________________
Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code not
P.O.BOX) : ______________________________
Name of City of Residence:_______________________________
Country:____________________________________
Direct Telephone Number:
Nearest airport:________________________________

However for the purpose of proper verification of your Identity, and other relevant information is for the release of your HSBC Visa Atm Card to you, it is important you contact the office of the Director, Debit Card Dept for a special payment.

REGARDS,

Rev. Paul Aku

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam